Piano Posts

The Obituary

2011-10-23T20:12:00.002-05:00

Dad. My dad. My only dad. I am smiling for his sake. I weep for mine.

A Poem

2011-10-02T17:24:00.006-05:00

After an inspirational tour at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in May, I wrote a poem and sent it to my friend who had led the tour. It just made their docent newsletter! I think I'm going to start encouraging my students to make trips to wonderful places this year. I always get more out of these field trips than I ever anticipate.

Here is the poem:

The Inner Spirit
Chris Wolf
A prince and an eagle, soon Zeus’ cupbearer
12 years, artist’s labor
Portray an ideal-smooth skin, and preened feathers
Yet devoid of inner emotion, we search their faces in vain.

Her covered face, her arched back
A sense of flight, fleeing, agony, yearning
Will she fall to her bed in tears
Or be raptured by the unseen?

Oh blue stone, we want to swaddle you
Tucked in, fetal and vulnerable
Yet with your birth we embrace
All the future you represent.

Battle scarred and seated
We sense your power, defiance and valor
Still strong, you raise your shield
Bloodied, beaten, but not retreating.

Red glow of molten earth and sunset sky
Embodying the creatures of water and air
We are drawn to your chakra glow
Petroglyphs still inspire.

Our mothers above us, our mother below us
We kings are sandwiched between
Sitting in the visitor veranda
We face forward, and we ride.

Fierce, truthful abalone eyes
Center post of the house and
Lifeforce link to ancestors
Our home is safe under your gaze
and on your shoulders.

It is as natural as breathing to plant the land
His face content, he will feed his people
As many have before,
children will sow after him,
He has high hopes.

And here is an exerpt of what the mentor, Mary Grau, wrote: "...Last May I participated in Linda's... (class of ’09) final check-out tour. The theme of Linda’s Mostly Modern: 19th and 20th Century Art tour was Seeking the Inner Meaning in Human Sculpture. At each object Linda asked us to write down – on paper that she gave us, with pencils that she provided, on clipboards that she had made for the occasion – the single word that we felt best described the inner meaning of the sculpture that we were viewing. Then we all shared our choices with each other. The tour was wonderful; Linda’s creative use of interactive touring techniques, her thoughtful selection of objects and her own keen insights into them resulted in a delightful touring experience.

What those of us on the tour, including Linda, didn’t know was that one of the participants, Chris Wolf, was keeping track of all our responses. After
the tour Chris went home and turned our words into the poem you just read. Each stanza of the poem corresponds to one of the objects we discussed."

Here are the pieces that were on the tour.
1. Ganymede and the Eagle, Thorvaldsen
2. Torso of Adele, Rodin
3. The New One, John Flannagan
4. Warrior with Shield, Moore
5. Untitled,Whiteman
6. Ancestral Post, Agbonbiofe
7. Post Figure, unknown Maori
8. Farmer Sowing Grain, unknown, Japan.

Each of these pieces is still at MIA, I believe. I was able to obtain a photo of the #1 above (for the first stanza) from a "free photo of everything" website. I don't want to break on any copyrights of pieces, so please google them for a peek!
I think each of these stanzas could be a song, don't you? Thank you for appreciating my poem, Mary and Linda, it was such a moving tour.

Maybe Piano Teachers are Gullible

2011-09-27T19:07:00.004-05:00

This was an email I received today. I have received several emails just like the one described below. Consider this a public service announcement today.

Dear music teacher:
Here's a timely reminder about internet scams directed at music teachers.

As many of you are likely aware, there has been a marked increase in the efforts of individuals performing acts of fraud via the Internet. Until recently these acts were not specifically targeted to independent music teacher; however, over the past few weeks many music teachers have received e-mails inquiring about having international students study with them. The person sending the e-mail poses as a parent interested in having their child or children study with them. The music teacher is offered prepayment for a certain amount of lessons, and once a cashier's check is sent and in the bank the teacher is asked to refund a large portion of the check because of some emergency or to pay for the fees the "parent" incurred in transferring the money and obtaining the check or for their children's travel. The cashier's check is an elaborate counterfeit and it takes the bank longer than usual to discover the fake.

If you receive an e-mail similar to one of those above do not respond to them. Due to the high number of these scams, it is impossible to investigate each e-mail. If you or someone you know have lost funds because of this type of fraud, please contact your local field office of the Secret Service. A list of field offices is available at http://www.secretservice.gov/field_offices.shtml.

For more information about common types of Internet fraud, visit the FBI website at http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/cyber/cyber/.

You need to B Sharp!

2011-09-26T20:27:00.005-05:00

A student needed to work on a few measures, isolated. I wrote in her notebook, #12-16, hands alone 2 days, then together like a turtle. She cocked her head, and said, "12-16 pounds?" Can you just see her trying to figure out how she was going to lift that much hands alone then together? She's 8! Oops!

It took us both a minute to stop laughing. Then we made the long list of all the things a # might stand for! We got the following list:

Sharp
Number sign
Pound Sign
Measure Number
a Hashtag for Twitter (currently)
and her favorite: tic-tac-toe

It's even on your telephone, "after entering your pin, please press Pound (#)" for example. It doesn't say press "sharp", or "measure number". No wonder why she was confused!

Sometimes, it is all a matter of perspective. And sometimes, I still need to state the obvious because it may not be as obvious as I thought it was.

Happy Monday!

A Welcome Address

2011-09-25T22:44:00.001-05:00

I thought this was worth reading. Should I post this on my blog or on my Facebook "Wolf Piano" page? This time, I'll try both!http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

IMT Meetings

2011-09-21T21:17:00.006-05:00

I have been to a lot of teacher meetings in the last two weeks. My local, two classes, and a state level meeting have jarred me back to the life I used to live. I used to float among my peers and jabber with them, without any second thoughts. I took a 4 year sabbatical of sorts from many of these meetings while I was at my church job, and now I'm back, I think.

In those years of teaching before my hiatus, I became numb to the comments of the independent music teacher. I guess I trusted them and knew their personalities and could shrug my shoulders to much of it. I liken it to watching and getting desensitized to horror movies? Sort of?

I have recently found myself speechless when I usually had a quick retort to the various things that music teachers say. Don't get me wrong. I put myself in this select group of people. It's not our fault you know. We teach in a cave. We are isolated from our peer group and routine office banter. We are critically listening to students for hours on end. We even critically listen to the radio. We are encouraged to share our critiques with our students, and we begin to edge toward a teacher-student relationship with everyone, even people with whom we should be friends. I am one of the younger teachers in this arena, and I think I am sometimes regarded as needing daughterly advice. This is merely a guess.

So what happened to me? Why do these fairly innocuous conversations have me perplexed and wondering, what, exactly, did I used to talk about? Did I speak to others this way? I am so sorry when I did.

I will share a few examples with you for which I was dumbfounded. Perhaps you can help me think of something witty that I could have said. Maybe your humor will help me put aside my shock at these obviously common occurrences. May I be quick with an apology when I find myself becoming more like that. And I probably will because I will spend more time with them.

Piano teacher #1 approached me as I was seated in the classroom. She has known me over 20 years, but I was already coloring my hair back then! She was already graying then and has a beautiful, coiffed silver style today. She checked my roots (because I was seated!) and asked whether I color my hair. She commented on the pretty highlighting in the back and wondered how I had done that. I said only that I had been in the sun a lot this summer in my garden. Then I didn't answer her question. I just looked at her.

Piano teacher #2 at the break of the same class commented on my purple jacket and wondered whether it was real leather. When I said I didn't really know, she asked what I had paid for it, because that was one way to tell. I told her I had bought it at Macy's and she said that answered her question, turned around and left me standing there.

Piano teacher #3 skipped pleasantries other than a smile and a hello, and asked me what I was charging now. Her sister-in-law is teaching in my neighborhood and although her s-i-l only played through high school, she likes to charge $1.00 less than I do and was hoping I had raised my rates.

It seems a strange way to be welcomed back, but I'm back, I I I guess. Or I could just stay in my cave.

Carnegie Hall and The Achievement Program (TAP)

2011-09-20T21:27:00.009-05:00

I think every pianist dreams a little dream to play at Carnegie Hall. I know that I did. There is something about it, about the very sound of 'Carnegie Hall'. There is an old joke that asks how to get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. What "it" really stands for is probably different to each person. So many people have now performed there and do not go on to international fame, or have remained faceless in the sea of amazingly great pianists. Perhaps the grandeur of Carnegie is lost? NAH! Never! But we are in a different time and place than our pianist forefathers.

The Royal Conservatory (think Canada and England principally) already had in place a standard of assessment for musicians. They have now teamed together with Carnegie Hall to bring a national standard of measurement, as I understand it, to the United States. I am going to find out a LOT more information about it, and hope to share it with you over the next weeks and months. They have decided to call it TAP, The Achievement Program. Click on the New York Times article here if you want to read about the unveiling.

I have a LOT of questions before I read anything on their website or from the packet I received. Can students progress through levels at their pace? What areas does it cover? How strident are the exams? How would I implement it into the studio? Can we jump in in the middle? Where are the exams taken? What kind of volunteer work does it mean to me? What are the fees? Would it take the place of anything I'm using now or would it be an additional system to master and choose from? Would I get any willing studio families that might prefer a national exam to the Minnesota state exam? Are they comparable to Guild?

There is something compelling about a national standard to me. Wolf Piano currently uses the National Guild, which is malleable to each student. Teachers choose the elements of the exam that best showcase the students' attributes.

I have noticed that an intermediate student, or a level 5 student means nothing across the country, however. There is a part of me that would like to believe that a level 4 student knows x, y, and z. But it is rarely true. I know that there are gaps in some of my teaching for each student. Sometimes it is about the lack of time in a 30 minute lesson to get everything covered. Sometimes it is a matter of me; sometimes it is a matter of the student or the parent not wanting history, composer information, not too much theory, or technique. There is so much to bring to life about music!

What about the composition elements I teach and the other programs I already use? Would we do it all? What about the jazz and popular styles that many students learn here at my studio? Is it strictly "classical" (lower case "c")? Is this a good studio fit? Will it meet students where they are or try to bend them to the program?

I am a little reluctant to learn another new program. But I AM curious. Even my curiosity is curious. I am settled into a really good routine here. Why should I want to bother? Other progress programs are out there, tepidly. I already have favorite activities for each type of student. I am trying really hard to teach each student rather than use a standard method book or system for the whole studio. When I go to adjudicate at Guild, I notice some teachers that use the same pieces with every child. Suzuki teachers use the same pieces too. I just can't do that.

I have heard rumors that TAP may prepare students and earn college credit, similar to the AP (Advanced Placement) exams. Because it would be a national standard, it is a very interesting scenario when I, as a private teacher, could help contribute to a student's college admission in a tangible, real way!

A new program would change some of my teaching-it always does. It adds new deadlines, new mastery and new challenges for me AND the student. But would it change it for the better? I'm going to find out more.

Avast there Mateys!

2011-09-19T11:27:00.000-05:00

After I took a week off this summer, which turned into 3 months, I have returned and it's Talk Like a Pirate Day! I will probably try to inject some "arrggg" into my lessons today, will you?I am excited to get back to writing this fall and have quite a few plans to investigate some new programs. I hope you'll stop by and 'weigh in' with your comments, and perhaps even 'blabber about it to yer mateys'. This is Shipmate Wolf, looking forward to sailing the musical seas with ya this year - avast! Keep yer spyglass 'pon this site for more messages in a bottle soon!

Wedding Music - On CD?

2011-06-13T13:31:00.003-05:00

I attended a wedding over the weekend; it was exactly what I was expecting it to be, even to the choice of pieces for Processional, Bride's Entrance, and Postlude. There does not seem to be a lot of variation in this category for young ladies anymore.

Sure there are the music majors that will jump happily out of the Pachelbel box, but for the most part there are trumpet voluntary and Bach renditions most accompanists can play in their sleep.

The surprise to me was that this wedding used a small keyboard with some synthesized string sounds and an electronic piano sound and the pianist was not prepared. He (nameless) hacked away at the staples of this genre, often skipping the B section completely because he didn't seem to know how to play it.

More important, I wonder whether the congregation even recognized the poor quality of the music. The bride was lovely, the message was great, but perhaps they should have used a CD.

That being said, I don't like canned music, especially for big events. This was the song the soloist sang while they lit the Unity Candle. My family was not happy that they chose "Train". The accompaniment for this piece could have been played with 3 fingers, as demonstrated in this open guitar part. And Nameless couldn't keep a pulse, so it was weird.

Enjoy your Monday!

Destruction-And so it Begins, Again

2011-06-10T17:12:00.005-05:00

Help is on the way for the studio waiting room. Last year, we tackled my office proper. This year, we are moving outward to the waiting area of my teaching side of the house.

The first picture is my current teaching space, warm and inviting. One sweet student said I needed a sign for my office during the construction time, so she made one for the french door. I believe it's the best name plate I've ever had!

One of these pictures is a "before" of the studio waiting area with lots of framed inspirational autographs on the wall, and the keyboard. Although the keyboard will be back in that space, the bookshelves will not. Also, I plan to make a coffee table book of the autographs, rather than clutter the wall.

Our first event today was to get a trailer and take junk to the landfill.

Pictures will be posted occasionally, we are hoping that it will be fewer 'surprises' than the last room!

Making a Summer Schedule the Old Fashioned Way

2011-06-07T15:33:00.008-05:00

If post-it notes could talk! I sent out a summer lesson form via email in May. Most families sent back their preferences in email or paper format. I planned to teach Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays this summer, in July and August (7 weeks).

There was an outcry of 4 students who "can't wait until July for lessons!" So I opened up the studio for Thursdays in June, and I'm full with an amazing 6 hours of studio time! This is a very pleasant financial surprise. Given that the church job is over, every lesson will be significant.

I asked around at convention yesterday and most of us are still doing the same scheduling paperwork, on paper. One brilliant, technology-savvy woman opened a Google calendar and had everyone put on their own dates. Since I'm almost done with the summer, I won't do that this time, but I'm going to remember that! There are always good tidbits and information at conventions! It would require that everyone get a Google account, but they are free. According to my teenage children, everyone has one anyway. According to my husband, everyone with an Android cell phone uses Google to gain access to the app market.

I am planning to use June as the Remodeling Month. We have already begun to tear apart the waiting area,to lighten, brighten and update. It's going to be a great improvement. I still really like my studio. So, students and parents will be in the midst of a construction zone on Thursdays.

But let's look beyond the initial, "um, ok let's see what I can do" reaction I had to teaching in June. I've sat back and thought about this. They wanted to continue lessons. That says so much about these students. I gave them the chance to do something else. And they love to play. Piano. In the summer. So do I. As I left my church job, that was one of the things I kept saying about the great loss I feel. I LOVE to play. I'm not the best, I'm not like the amazing classical pianists at the convention, but I love to play piano. I love to see how music moves people to smile, to cry, to dance, to pray, to connect, to remember, to love. It touches all ages. I love to be a part of connecting them to that deeper place. One day, that was even my Facebook status, because it is so true for me. And it is not true of all my colleagues.

I think I have stumbled upon something. So that's me. Still learning about my strengths. Hi, I'm Chris, and I love to play piano. I'm going to put it on a Post-it Note and think about it awhile.

Facebook

2011-06-03T21:23:00.005-05:00

In addition to my writing here, I've started a Facebook page entitled Wolf Piano. It will be an eclectic mix of daily video and/or music related items collected from the web. Much of the writing will not be mine there, it will be good stuff! "Like" http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wolf-Piano/119386391478264 today!

And thank you for reading some personal items as of late. I will be back to my teaching glimpses soon.

I'm still working on a foray into YouTube by the way. I'm also excited to start planning a studio excursion to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts to combine an art and music "something" with my friend Linda. I'm composing a few things and breathing deeply.

I'm looking forward to the Minnesota state music teacher's convention next week. Check in here for highlights and lots of photos!

Summer Schedule-Ends and Beginnings

2011-06-02T21:39:00.006-05:00

I am between sessions at the moment. We ended the year with a spring recital and awards ceremony. The May month ended with two weeks of lessons to go over the guild report cards and get fun summer music, and then, poof, they were out the door to soccer, baseball, band concerts and final exams.

I did four great days of judging at MacPhail Center for the Arts. The students were well prepared and musical. The building is new, and state of the art! It has a main lobby with big screens announcing upcoming events. The office I was allowed to use had two grand pianos in good tune, and there are several group classrooms and concert areas, on 6 floors. It is near the stone arch bridge, the Guthrie, and some fine dining.

I ended my 3 1/2 year position with my beloved church on May 15. They ran out of money to pay me. I understand this, and their desire to not ask me to do the job for free. They are hoping to find volunteers to step forward. I am struggling most with the request of the pastor and the council to step away from the church for a period of time, called the whole summer. I agreed to this request, I was technically part of the decision making process, but it is so difficult to know that all my friends are making music and I'm not with them. Twice per week, the group is hanging out, having music therapy, and making a new way. I'm proud of the work I did to get them up and running, but I'm still grieving.

My father has become a permanent resident of the nursing home. He has declined significantly over the past two months, and the final diagnosis is residual radiation. Most people are fine with the dose he was given, but Dad was not, and it's still sitting in his head, gradually cooking other connections. He can no longer use his legs and they are using a machine to put him on the commode, in his wheelchair or in bed. His speech is impaired when he speaks at all, and he says his head is "foggy". He calls it chemo-head. Mom feeds him his food-she is there 12-14 hours/day, even though the nursing staff would be happy to give her a break. On Monday, the Mayo Clinic physician staff gently told Mom that their overseeing of his case was completed. She and I both realize that's their way of saying there's nothing more they can do.

Dad seems comfortable, he listens and is present for our conversations. He still likes his meals, however he has lost about 15 pounds. I have learned more about wheelchairs, coumadin, Medicare and Nursing Care. I am walking along side of incredible compassion, love, loss, and grief. We are striving to celebrate the better days.

And in the meantime, music is sustaining me. I'm writing, I'm listening. I've been asked to work with a staff member at the Minneapolis Institute of Art to design a tour combining art and music. Ideas abound. Your suggestions can be added to the mix on Facebook at Wolf Piano.

More soon, as the summer students begin to arrive with their stories!

The Season of Melancholy

2011-04-27T13:55:00.004-05:00

Quite significant events are happening in my life right now, and for the last month I decided I could not write about them. Too depressing, too much information, just too much. My thought was "who wants to read this?" But a few loving girlfriends have said that they did. Things are starting to clear and musically they need to come forth. Like new branches from a limb thought dead, I see signs of life, glimmers of truth that hope springs forward, and hope that I can see past the sadness to the promises.
The weather in Minnesota has not helped my mood either; we are still in the Forties, with four inches of snow last week and more predicted. Perhaps the weather will also soon turn to spring and improve my melancholy.
I really like that word, melancholy. Abe Lincoln often said he suffered with deep bouts of melancholy his whole life. I don't care much for the season of melancholy, but I think the word transports me to a very deep place.
As I work through the events on paper, please see through the words to the place in my heart that is still grounded in love. I am hopeful, in spite of what you may hear.
The pictures are earlier April, as I begged for winter to release its grasp of my yard.

One

2011-03-14T15:14:00.000-05:00

The images of Japan are overwhelming me. I have finished composing one piece, and am moving on to another, but they are from a dark place of deep longing to relieve pain. I had a drink of cool water this morning, in my climate controlled home, put on clean clothes, and knew where my friends and relatives were. This is profoundly significant to me. This is what matters.

But dwelling on the hurt in Japan very long is no help to anyone.

On a different "note", here is a video using the number pi turned into song. It would have been even better if the video had been 3.14 minutes long, after he made such an effort to use the number everywhere else!

I can't seem to find focus today. I find my brain trying to make sense of the devastation. The sheer math of it all, the number of bodies, the miles of tsunami damage, the trillions into the economy, the potential nuclear disaster numbers of particles of radiation in the air, the one volcano rumbling, make me come back to the place of "one". How can we overcome this? One person at a time, one family reunited, one meal provided, one maker over all. That, that I can do, that I can rest in. One prayer I send, one donation I make will make a difference. One moment to stop thinking of myself. We get to carry each other.

The Difference is in the Details

2011-03-08T22:53:00.006-06:00

We are always doing some sort of warm-up before the pieces for the week. This week the preparations begin for the end of the year piano "report cards", through the National Guild of Piano Teachers.

The NGPT has established fine charts and levels of scales, chords, arpeggios, sight playing, ear training, transposition and improvisation for each level of piano study. There are 6 elementary, 6 intermediate and 4 preparatory young artist levels of each category.

I like to photocopy the sheet from the book so that the student can highlight his progress as he makes his way across the chart at his level. When performing 10 pieces for memory, up to 3 of these musicianship elements can be counted as the same level of difficulty as memorizing a piece. Often there are parts of this list at which a student excels, so we cross those off first.

Now is the time when the copies get taped into their "hardest" book cover, and we make plans to learn as many of the seven elements as diligently as possible. Because the motivation of learning a "few scales" can seem easier than a whole piece, we really learn some good technique. I am always encouraged by the way students are diving in to these challenges right now. It's almost as if spring studies get ramped up now. I think they feel the details of the change in the seasons coming too.

According to a nature preserve I visited over the weekend, the month of March includes details that the monarchs have left Mexico, the robins will soon be gathered in our yards in groups of 20 or more, and the average high is above freezing almost every day. My camera broke recently and I did not take the pictures you see above. But I hope to have a new camera as there is soon going to be a lot to photograph. Although we still had a snowfall on Sunday that was snowblower worthy, I am also sensing the sun that is higher in the sky. The awakening from a long winter is so invigorating.

I wonder whether the monarchs do any warm-ups before they fly every day. Caterpillar Calisthenics? What an amazing trip they make to and from Mexico. What kind of preparations do they make?

This weekend, there are several students of the studio "Going to State" in piano, through the Minnesota Music Teachers Association. It will be held over two days at the University of Minnesota, Ferguson Hall. We are having the tough last lessons, reminding them that they are competing against all the other winners, and that details matter. Strong musicianship will serve them well. What an amazing trip some of these students make, from all over the corners of this state and western Wisconsin. Thousands started the journey last fall with music, many of them participated in the preliminaries and now, some have survived to make the finals. It is also a long arduous journey.

March Month of Composing

2011-03-07T14:28:00.003-06:00

This year at the studio we will be composing under the umbrella of Destinations. The first week, students will merely dream about a place to visit and describe it. It can be real or imaginary. These descriptions will help us to write a piece that is like our vacation spot. I've already heard some very good ideas! Where would you like to visit? I'm still hoping for a sunny locale.

So, choose a place, and then set some describing words in your mind or on a little notecard. Why do you want to go there? Have you been there before? Is it a warm or cool place, is the pace fast or slow? Is it noisy or quiet? Sights, smells, and language all play a part in writing descriptively. Have a good time with this, it should not be laborious.

A Day's Work for a Day's Pay

2011-03-03T06:00:00.001-06:00

What is a "normal" amount to receive for a day's pay? Is a day 8 hours long? Do you break it into an hourly wage? Do you add your benefits package pro-rated for one day? As a self-employed person, I set my wage, I pay for my own benefits. This is a difficult assignment. What can the market bear; what are others charging in my neighborhood? Should that matter? What are their degrees? What are parents willing to pay for piano lessons for their child? What is reasonable and true?

According to answers.com, the average daily wage today is $15.00/hour, but it also states that a day's wage is $70. The figures don't match. This means a person was not working 8 hours but closer to 5 hours, or that the hourly wage is really closer to $10. If I take 8 hours times the $15 rate, I get $120.

According to Wikipedia, the median income of the US was $49,777 in 2010. This covers ALL jobs across all levels of education and experience. It also doesn't match the other figures mentioned. $15/hour is $31,200 per year, or $49,777 is almost $24.00 per hour. And I have no idea whether benefits are part of these figures.

I was asked my salary again today. The person didn't ask it directly. They first casually asked how many students I'm teaching. Then, later in the conversation, they asked how much I'm charging these days. All innocent questions. I have always side-stepped these with "I teach full-time, I teach part-time, or my studio is full enough for me", and "oh, are you interested in lessons; I have a few openings." I think it would be a shocker if I asked what their salary was, although men around me are much more likely to discuss their salaries, as a general rule.

My husband says I'm overly sensitive to these questions and it is part of my business to share what the cost of lessons are to potential students. I agree. I am inclined to believe that this was not a potential studio family asking, however.

And so the next question I have to ask myself is what is a good day's wages? I have an advanced degree and tons of experience. When I'm asked to judge for a day, what should I expect for a day's work? Some expect that I am being given a stipend and that some of my judging is to encourage the next wave of musicians, a "pay-it-forward" mentality.

Judging is and is not hard work. You must be a critical listener, fast on your feet, so-to-speak, You want to be amiable, courteous, and able to discern a child's nerves. I am asked to understand without asking the student whether they have put their best effort into their performance or whether it was slung together on a whim a week before the event. I am being asked to write my thoughts coherently, with good penmanship, in 5 minutes or less, and move to the next student.

On the flip side, it is not physical labor. It is not as dirty or difficult as waitressing, nursing, or being an auto mechanic. It's not like the Dirty Jobs on television by any means.

A professional in law works for $250/hour, a director of sales is pulling in over $120/hour, a waitress friend of mine at a really nice restaurant makes tips in excess of $300/for a Friday night shift and is often working about 5 hours. A friend at Kohls department store makes $10/hour. The girl at the Kwik Trip is making minimum wage and has to clean the restroom.

I received a possible judging assignment in the mail today. I have to decide whether or not I wish to sign on for this position. It is four days for $700.00. They are 8 hour days. Is this a fair wage? 32 hours is about $22/hour. This is $2/hour lower than the median income rate. It seems decent, but not glamorous. The organization needs capable judges, but has to charge a manageable fee to the students who will take the exam that I will adjudicate.

I've decided to stop comparing. I will now try to refuse to compare my salary, my hourly rate, my life, my house, or anything else the world would like me to covet with anyone else. That's when my trouble starts, ya know? Try to measure up? I lose. Try to rank my playing, my children, my grocery bill, my job against anyone else's? Not going there. I just can't do it any more. I just don't want to measure myself anymore.

In some ways I think it's crazy that I'm debating with myself over getting this kind of money to do what I love; I get to sit with kids and talk about music and then listen to theirs. It's $700 for goodness sake! I'm going to say yes, in the current economic situation. What an insult, some will say, and roundly put it down, with a snort. I know others that would love to make so much.

Where do you stand, not that I'm asking what you make....

Seeds

2011-03-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

I know I am not alone in wishing for SPRING, emphatically! It was a killer winter in the Midwest, and the snow is as high as an elephant's eye. (gosh, I used past tense, I hope that's a sign) These are my neighbors' mailboxes. We need a serious meltdown? And also one that is gentle on the floodplains.

I have no doubt that some of you have seen this story before. But, I will put it out there because it was new to me. A friend of mine sent it in an email this morning. How did she know that I needed it? May you find what you need in the story as well.

"It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you," said the retiring, successful businessman.

The young executives were shocked as the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today - one very special seed. I want you to plant it, care for it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."

Jim went home excitedly with his seed, and told his wife the story. Together, they got a pot, soil and compost and planted the seed. He tended it with great care. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.

Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing grew. Three weeks, four weeks, months went by, nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure. He just knew he had killed
his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim
didn't say anything to his colleagues, however, he just kept watering and
fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.

One year later, the young execs brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew he had to be honest. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful, in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor in the corner, and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him. "Ho ho, Jim, way to grow 'em," they chided.

When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"

All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim in the shadows with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"

"What happened here, Jim?" Jim shrugged and told his story.
The CEO asked everyone to sit down and then announced to all, "Behold your next Chief Executive Officer! One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow.

All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When
you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the
one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring
me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new
Chief Executive Officer!"

I'm so judgmental. I am a teacher who is a critical listener. I also am a judge who gets paid to differentiate between good and better performances. I can instantly have an opinion on almost anything. I hate it and love that about myself. It's almost impossible to turn it off. But that doesn't make it right.
May I keep striving to be planting good seeds, seeds of love and acceptance. Dang it, dang it, when I mess up without walking in anothers' shoes.

What are you planting?

Musical Hats

2011-02-28T20:38:00.004-06:00

My many hats collided this weekend to make for a fun, yet exhausting, jam-packed 48 hours. Musicians as a general rule get the privilege of forging out a career by working a lot of different jobs, rather than one. I am not unique in this difficult yet rewarding balancing act.

Why do you think I do this to myself? I have a hard time saying no. I admit it. I loved each of the single events I attended, but when you add them all up, it was sort of crazy. Add to the mix that I want to be a good daughter to aging parents, a responsible parent to teens, a wife, don't forget wife!, friend, and the music events were over-the-top important.

I found some time to practice over the weekend with my daughter, who performed a clarinet piece in the high school solo and ensemble festival today. It's so much fun to play with her, and there's only one more year to do this together. I wasn't going to miss this fast-disappearing opportunity.

There was a concert on Friday night which brought together 10 bands of Lutheran song writers. They each showcased 2-3 of their songs. It was a long night, over three hours, but one band in particular made it all worthwhile. I have been playing their music over a decade and this was the first time I met them. I even got the lead songwriter's autograph for a friend! They were terrific. The whole event was humbling really. The room was so full of talented musicians. Many levels of performance leadership to observe, as well as soundboard and acoustics, and what the audience enjoyed. I am so glad I went.

Saturday, I got to do some judging. Now usually the day is 8-3, or 9-3:30 with a nice bunch of breaks, and about 45-50 students at 10 minute intervals. It's not rushed or lengthy, but this year it was 8-5, and 60 students. My hand was so tired, each critique is 3/4 of a page to write. My ears got tired too, if you know what I mean. I felt bad that the last of the students was not getting the same critical listener that the first half of the day received. I let the chair know that I couldn't do that size day again. I hope they ask me again; I like to hear the students, and I believe I have something to say to them. I agreed to do this judging over a year ago, no way to get out of it.

But I believe that the biggest "event" of the weekend was the special music at worship on Sunday. It was only a two minute piece, but I sweated it the most! I play keys and lead the band at a mission church. We were studying Matthew 6. During the planning, I sent an email link of the Bob Marley song, "Three Little Birds" to the pastor and said, "What about this for the Special music during the Offering. Just kidding (sort of, it even talks about the 3 little birds!)" Well, poof, we learned it, reggae and all, although we're a bunch of white kids!

It was made all the more difficult when the drummer didn't come to practice. I have this huge problem that I want everything I'm involved in to go really well. It's chronic. It's a burden, and I can't help it. But how do you say "hey - where were you to practice this?" when it's church? All are welcome, all gifts accepted. There is such tension in this for me. I'm living in it, I'm workin' it out, no worries, but woah, it's so hard some days.

Type A" stands for Anxious, not Admirable

2011-02-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

• Breathe deeply - Have you ever noticed your breathing when you're feeling stressed or moving at warp speed? It' s probably shallow and tight. Borrow a tip from professional athletes, and take a few slow, deep breaths to relax and collect yourself.
• Take a walk - "Take a hike" can be good advice. Not only does it help burn off nervous energy, but you can get some exercise and enjoy the scenery, which can help you think more clearly than you might if you' re always tethered to your desk or buzzing about mindlessly.
• Eat well - Busy people can be chronic meal-skippers, or too frequently eat junk food on the run. Heavy foods, too many or too few calories, and inadequate nutrition can make you feel like you're short on fuel. Go for the veggies, fruits, grains and lean proteins - a nutritionist can provide advice and a list of nutritious, high-energy foods.
• Drink water - Most people don't drink enough water, and end up feeling dehydrated, tired, cranky and achy. Next time you feel dry or in need of a liquid "pick me up," go for the water bottle instead of coffee or soda. In fact, experts say that once you feel thirsty, you' re already dehydrated, so drink up. An added bonus? Water helps flush toxins away.
• Slow down - "Type A" stands for anxious, not admirable. Don't worry; you don't have to plod along or come to a stand-still. By making sure your mind is actually where your body is, you' ll feel (and appear) less scattered, think more clearly, and be more effective. Good time-management and delegation strategies can help avoid confused priorities and schedule-melt-downs.
• Team up - If you're a burned-out business owner, chances are good that there' s at least one thing you' re not very good at: letting other people help you get things done. Whether via delegating to employees, partnering with other firms or vendors, or simply networking for support and advice, sharing the load with other people can help avoid burnout.
• Sleep well - A good night's sleep isn't a luxury; it's a necessity for clear-thinking and mindful responsiveness (versus mindless reactivity). Aim to get a good night's rest by watching what you eat before you go to bed, turning off the television and computer, taking a few minutes to slow down and transition from "busy day" to "restful night," sipping some herbal tea and listening to soothing music.
• Loosen up - Tight muscles and narrow, critical thinking exacerbate stress and propel you toward burnout. One solution? Find ways to stretch both body and mind. Yoga or other gentle stretching loosens tight muscles, while similar "mind exercises" help lessen chronic perfectionism, judgmentalism and criticism.
• Have fun - Laughter is great medicine, so provide yourself with a basket of toys at the office, watch your favorite funny movies, play with your kids or animals, choose to be around people who make you laugh, or just laugh at yourself when you get overly serious or cranky. It' s nearly impossible to wallow in your stress when you' re enjoying a good belly laugh.
• Get away - Whether for an hour, a day, two weeks or a month, unleash yourself from your business and concentrate 100 percent on someone or something else. Don' t eat lunch at your desk, don' t call in or do work while on vacation or out for a "vision day," and don' t spend your allotted rejuvenation time busying yourself with chores. Remember the old saying, "All work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy." Clean kennels at the pound, get a facial at the spa, see a movie in the middle of a workday afternoon, read a book, listen to music, take a hike in nature, or take a nap. Just recharge your battery.

I copied these from somewhere, but now I can't find the resource. I give total credit to someone else; I didn't write them.

Working out, Burning Out

2011-02-19T06:00:00.000-06:00

Here's a little exercise I found very helpful. I left List 1 on the refrigerator for weeks, and hung the Top 5 list inside a cupboard door for a long time.

LIST 1
list the things that give real meaning to what you do.
Write down what attracted you to your current job or profession in the first place. List the things about it that you find fulfilling now. Include the value of the profession to humanity and what excites you about it. Think about what you want to achieve within it, and what you think is important to doing the job well.

There are 3 major factors for stress. Job stress, relationship stress, and money stress. Is the job really the problem? You may be blaming the job for a relationship or financial stress.

This will give you a long list of things that are good about what you do.

LIST 2
From List 1, identify the five things that give the greatest meaning to your work. These should be the things about the job that most inspire you. Write these down in order with the most important item at the top of the list. This list shows you the things that you should protect as much as you can.

LIST 3
Finally, write down the things that frustrate you most about your work. This may involve things like inadequacy of resource, lack of recognition, or bureaucracy. As well as this, list the factors that are causing you difficulty and which are likely to cause stress in the future.

Now work through the list of things that give you meaning item-by-item. For each item, look at the list of frustrations. Where these threaten the things that are most important to you, note these down: These are particular pressure points that you need to monitor.

Think these through carefully, and plan in advance how you will handle build-ups of stress in these areas.

Summary:
You are most vulnerable to burnout when the stresses you experience impact negatively on the things that you find most fulfilling in your job. Not only do you experience the unpleasantness of stress, you lose the job satisfaction that counter-balances this.

As well as this, by understanding what gives meaning to your work, you know how to steer the development of your job to give yourself the greatest job satisfaction.

36 Little Ways to De-stress

2011-02-18T10:46:00.004-06:00

I'm only preaching to myself, here's a list I'm working on. This was also part of the Avoiding Burnout session I presented to the lovely Rochester Keyboard Club last week.

I am so tired of the clouds, the snow, and the fog. Perhaps these will help me focus on something else?

1. Clean out your desk. Do you really need to hang on to those dried-out markers?
2. Join or engage in your professional organization. Read professional literature. You will learn many things that will make your job easier. Attend a convention; seek out other teachers to commiserate, I mean collaborate, on ideas.
3. Continue to play and practice. You joined the music community for a good reason.
4. Stay ahead in photocopying and planning.
5. Use a syllabus to help your students stay organized. A syllabus will let your students and their parents or guardians see that you are a serious teacher who has a serious purpose.
6. Have enough supplies. It is annoying to have to hunt for the last paper clip or marking pen.
7. Leave your desk and piano clean at the end of the day so that you can start the new one off fresh.
9. Have an established routine at the start of the lesson so that your students can discipline themselves. Perhaps it is warm-up scales or a theory page or computer time. This gives you a chance to breathe between students.
10. Planning lessons for each student is part of our job. Have a short and long term goal for each student and for your studio.
11. Have a system for students to use to check out shared supplies.
12. Be accurate in the way you keep attendance and billing records.
13. Don’t work through lunch/dinner. You need a break.
14. Have each student complete an information sheet so that you have all of the information you need to contact a parent or guardian.
15. Be reasonable in the amount of homework you assign. Help students see that it is an important part of their learning process. They can see through busy work. You don’t need more to correct.
16. Delegate some work to your students and parents. One of them would LOVE to be the next recital hostess. One of them might have a terrific time decorating for the theme, or coming up with a theme.
17. Share recitals, be a part of a larger group to share the work load. Many hands…
18. If you can, use your most productive time of day to do your hardest tasks.
19. The universal teacher lunch of a soft drink and anything from a vending machine will not give you the energy you need to get through the afternoon.
20. Wisely use those small blocks of time you have between appointments. If a student misses a lesson, how do you spend that time?
21. Plan interesting lessons with lots of varied activities to hold your students’ attention.. It is just as important to hold your own attention. If you did a masters in Chopin, walk students into that pool of knowledge.
22. Have a place during lessons to safely store your keys and other personal belongings so you don’t have to worry about them.
23. Arrive a little early and stay a little late, but more than 10 minutes may be a waste.
24. Jot quick notes on your lesson plans about what worked and what you need to improve before you teach the same unit of material again or a specific student had trouble in what area so you can focus on it again.
25. Dress professionally even on casual days. You don’t want to attend an impromptu parent conference dressed in ragged jeans and old sneakers.
26. Set up a folder for each student so that you can store the paperwork that crosses your desk.
27. Share a laugh with your students and with your colleagues. Nothing chases stress away faster.
28. Plan your lessons by the year, the semester, the week, and the day.
29. Keep a book of inspirational sayings handy for you and your students to read on tough days. Show them their old guild or recital programs. Sometimes they need to see their progress too. Play through a favorite piece from an old book. It invigorates everyone!
30. Be flexible. Much of what you do just can’t be done perfectly. Adjust your expectations for perfection if necessary.
31. Be friendly, most of all to yourself.
32. Add a green plant or flowers to your room.
33. Decorate your classroom with students’ work if possible.
34. When the task seems impossible, remind yourself that teachers made a difference in your life when you were younger. You can do the same for your students.
35. Make a list of the reasons why you chose education as your profession. Tuck it away in a safe place, but carry it in your heart. Keep a happy file for yourself-remember those little successes and how far you’ve come.
36. Search out beauty. Poetry, art, music, people, take photographs, write, cook, engage the senses.

Playing to our Strengths

2011-02-16T20:35:00.002-06:00

I re-read my Strength Finders book last week.

I'm encouraging everyone to not only read, but put it into practice in their teaching. Let's chat after you've found out your strengths!

It's at the public library, however, I'm not sure you can use the codes. It is changing how I work with students. It is asking me to look for their strengths, rather that continuously try to shore up their weaknesses.

It's pretty terrific, again.

A Chili Cook-Off to Tackle Hunger

2011-02-12T20:48:00.000-06:00

Last Sunday, as many prepared appetizers and Super Bowl food, our church's youth organized a chili cook-off. Congregation members generously donated crockpots of their favorite recipes and homemade cornbread. Others brought crackers, sour cream, chopped onions, and cheese. Can you imagine the wonderful smell? Hamburger and secret ingredients filled the gym with the spicy aroma of caring for the hungry.

The Souper Bowl of Caring is a youth-led national movement that last year raised over 10 million dollars, which were given to local charities of the group's choice. According to their website, www.souperbowl.org, one in six people (one in four children) in America live in food insecure households. Our youth decided to donate any money gifted to the Farmington Food Shelf.

Two empty soup kettles represented the opposing teams. Suggested donations were $5.00 per bowl, and you voted by placing any amount of money in your favorite team's kettle. People had access to unlimited chili, cornbread and beverages. You were also given a poker chip which you used to vote on your favorite chili.

During the course of the morning, someone started a bowl to donate to the commercials and halftime as the reason to watch. This bowl got $30 in gifts!

Our mission church served over seventy people, and raised $445 dollars to fight hunger in our county. The Packers won the game and raised the most money that morning. It was so much fun; people were relaxed and generous, and are already discussing next year's event. We are considering adding soup as well as chili next year, and making sure the rest of the community knows they are invited!

Firetrucks and Pillows

2011-02-05T16:37:00.005-06:00

I spent a generous amount of time explaining dynamics to a young lad on Thursday. This involved a brief overview of Italian terms forte and piano, their meaning being strong and quiet. I was engaging, took questions, we tried some warm-ups in both. And when I was finished, he replied simply, "that's not what my teacher at school said."

"Well, how did she describe dynamics?" I asked.

"She said that F stands for Firetruck, you know, really loud, like a siren, and that P stands for Pillow, soft."

"I'm glad that your remember that. Can we try them in your piece?"

But I confess. All the while he was playing Firetruck and Pillow I was wondering why in the world would you give different names to the symbols "F" and "P" like this? They're pretty standard, after all. Perhaps in a classroom setting, you're teaching to the lowest common denominator? Perhaps it was a success because he could tell me about it at a different lesson. I have always liked the fact that our instrument was named a Quiet. It didn't much fill much more than a 10x10 room when it began its life so long ago.

There's a phrase on a bumper sticker that says, "Piano is my Forte". Forte. Strong suit, my strength. I can't go around explaining that Piano is my Firetruck, nor do I wish to ever play it with the sound of a siren.

The other item that often tweaks me, while we're at it, is that piano is not soft, but quiet. It is a term of volume, not of touch, in my opinion. I often correct even the method books who use the term "soft" in their piano descriptions. Perhaps I'm in a persnickety mood as I cross out their word and write in "quiet".

Volume on a piano is a matter of the speed in which the key is depressed. The faster that the hammer hits the string the more forte it will be. Yes, then. If you depress the key softly, as in gently, it will be most likely also quiet. It may also be wimpy. I am constantly striving to play my instrument the most well-voiced quiet I can get. I have heard some pianists master their piano, in both senses of the word. So, I want my students to play quietly, and avoid wimpy.

Thanks for listening to my rant today. I feel better. But ranting is not usually my forte. And now I'll be piano.

Judging the MMTA Contest - 2011

2011-01-30T14:00:00.000-06:00

I had the privilege of being a critical listener to fifty-four 7-8 year olds over a 6 hour span of time on Saturday. The event took place at a local northern metro (Minnesota) college. The Minnesota Music Teachers Association (MMTA) uses the lobby as a registration hub, and many, many rooms in the Fine Arts and Community Center areas for judging over both Saturday and Sunday. Thursday, a local piano store rolled in over a dozen pianos, Friday they were all tuned and tweaked. There is a judge coffee and waiting area, several of the normal campus hangout areas were today occupied by families and piano students.

MMTA does a contest for many different instruments and young artists of every caliber are encouraged to participate. The event this weekend is their piano division preliminary contest. Winners of this event will go to the Final Contest in mid-March. I have judged intermediate and early advanced levels the past few years, so it was very fun to see the young students again. The halls are bustling with students and doorkeepers, all making sure that they make it to the correct room at the correct time, with the correct piece. The preliminary contest this year takes place at many locations around the state, but over 3800 students will participate. It's a big deal.

This was my room; it's really more like a closet or a walk-in refrigerator sized hole. The door shuts if you move the bench back toward the piano, and there is room for one chair. I am left-handed, but the desk chair is rarely a lefty. It's a cozy little area, isn't it? The students and I spend 6 quality minutes together in here.

This is often a child's first experience at a judged event. I try extra hard to be kind and smile broadly. Many of them have spent months learning their 16 measure pieces. They came in their holiday dresses-ruffles, sparkles, bows and ribbons, the young boys in their clip-on ties and button down shirts. Their dress pants were belted, and their hair was combed. Nerves run high. You can feel it in the halls. Parents made a special effort to get here, from far away sometimes. Perhaps they have high expectations for their child musically. Some of them remember participating in an event like this as a child. Most of them are as nervous as the student.

My daughter walked up to this building last spring and still remembered those nervous feelings, years later. She said it felt like she was there to play even though she wasn't, and she didn't like it. Here are a few of the completely cute things that I experienced.

Not knowing that she was supposed to be anonymous, she walked up to the door and said, "HI! My name is Emily!" "Well, hi there, my name is Chris! Would you like to play for me today?"

Another student walked in the room, looked at me and said, "WOW! We're wearing the same colors! I have blue and black on too-see my pretty black flower right here? My shoes are a little tight."

Another said, "Oooh, I really like your earrings. I'm gonna get my ears pierced for my birthday."

About 6 students in a row came in with no front teeth.

After I heard a darling student in a bright orange dress with fushia trim perform, I opened the door to return her music. There were two of them there! "I'm Emma, SHE's Emily. It's her music not mine. Did you know we're twins?"

One student stopped dead in the middle of his piece, turned to me with huge eyes and said, "I'm reaaaalllly nervous!"
"Would you like a do-over? You can have one free start over today. This first one won't count, if you like."
"Really? OK. Free do-overs are great."

And finally, a young lady played her piece really well. It was musical, polished, and confident. She got to the last two measures and there were only two "C"s left. And she completely blanked on C number one. She tried a G, she tried a B, she backed up and started four measures prior, and nailed it. And then she looked like she was going to cry. I quickly raised my finger ala Maria in the Sound of Music. (Remember Maria at the market when the little one dropped the tomato?) "You played well", I smiled, and made eye contact, and smiled some more. All better.

Phew. The students came prepared, and hopefully had a good experience. I can't wait to hear how my own students did.

Another Year Older

2011-01-28T16:27:00.006-06:00

It was my birthday yesterday. I share the day with Lewis Carroll, Jerome Kern, and Wolfgang Mozart, among others. A friend sends me the Writers Almanac by Garrison Keillor on my birthday every year. I am always humbled that she remembers my day, "bless her pea-pickin' heart" (a phrase the man in the picture used 'a ton').

Today I told all my students that it was my birthday. The cute 5 year old looked at me, "You have birthdays? How old are you?" So, I told him it was January 27 and that I was 27. He thought that was old. Good thing I didn't tell him the truth, huh? And yes, I have birthdays. His mom was sure laughing when we were finished with the lesson. But I'm not sure whether she was laughing at the questions he posed, or the answer I gave!

A friend of mine asked me, "What did you get for your birthday?" I said, "Another year older and deeper in debt." Hey, that was an old Tennessee Ernie Ford song. My kids said, "Who's Tennessee Ernie Ford?" He's a singer from the 50s was all I knew.

Ernie Ford got his start as a radio announcer, was a pilot over Japan in WWII, and after the war, was again announcing for a country station in Pasadena, when he developed the character of Tennessee Ernie. He really became well known when he portray the country bumpkin on three episodes of "I Love Lucy", had a hit with the Davy Crockett song, then landed a signature piece with "Sixteen Tons".

Tell me you don't snap your fingers along with this!

It's a Workbook, not a Library book

2011-01-26T06:00:00.000-06:00

A student was having a lot of trouble with a piece in 5 flats. Out came my pencil for her to write in the usual left hand suspects. I had her write them in as she practiced hands separately.

When we finished, she looked at me dejectedly. "I feel like I just corrected my math homework and got 22 wrong out of 25."

Oh, I felt so badly.

It's hard not to feel like I should be able to play any piece correctly the first time. I know my more advanced students feel similarly. We've achieved a certain level, done due diligence, paid the "dues", so to speak. And yet I find myself needing to practice. Every day. Shouldn't there just come a time when I can sightplay anything and have it be perfect?

One of the statements I made that day to her, was that this was a workbook, not a library book. We can write all over it, and then erase it when we have muscle memory to help us remember. We also worked on the scales and chords that are in Db major.

The big message I need to remind myself is that I'm not expected to be tested on the material until I've studied it and learned it first. When I really know something, I won't need the reminders anymore. And this will be true for her too.

Here's Yuja Wang, discussing her recent CD. She still practices. She came to the Schubert Club and gave an outstanding concert. I got this CD for my bithday in the mail today! Wow, right? I am inspired.

I Could Get Used to This!

2011-01-25T14:23:00.004-06:00

Due to a combination of snow, cold, and illness, I had the pleasure of seeing a student Wednesday, Friday, and again on Monday last week. At the Monday lesson, when she realized we had made a great deal of progress on her pieces, she exclaimed, "I could get used to this!"

Well, so could I! I noticed immediately that mistakes were not ground in after a week on her own. She practices every day and knew exactly what I was expecting TOMORROW to be accomplished. There was no time for sedentary behavior on her or my part. In fact, I would love to schedule all of my studio this way, all the time.

Oh, if I could get direct feedback from an instructor on my pottery class three times per week, or to have a directed approach to fitness or a goal I wanted to achieve. I wonder how feasible it is to question the once per week lesson approach.

My father is going to have some physical therapy, which will meet three times per week at first. A friend of mine lost a lot of weight, weighed in every other day. It kept her accountable, she said.

I wonder in what area of my life I could use this strategy? It certainly would be worthwhile if it was a goal worth achieving.

Potter Puppet Theory-Success!

2011-01-14T15:14:00.006-06:00

I gave that theory assignment last week, and every single student did it! I was shocked that they could clap, repeat and sing all the puppet parts, in duet, with me on another part. Ok, maybe shocked is too strong. But all of them had gone home and really listened to the rhythm of the voices. Not all of them could write the rhythm on paper, but many of them had the right idea.

One student exclaimed that he'd do theory every week if it could be fun. One of them wanted to go through every part, "and you be the other one, ok? Now you do Hermione!"
This has me thinking. Why did they like it? I believe it was because it was relevant. It was visual and multi-media. And like the young man, I'd like to do that sort of thing every week, and keep it fun!

I think it's time to dip my studio into the land of You Tube. I will need to keep the students anonymous. I will want it to be educational. It needs to be fun! And maybe it needs to be like candy, something you want to partake of, just because it's yummy. And bright colored. And kid friendly. And easy. And imaginative. Oh boy!

I love this challenge. You'll know about it soon. Let's see what these kids and I come up with!

Puddle Jumping-A Memory Metaphor

2011-01-13T22:38:00.006-06:00

We are really close to ready for the upcoming festival and preliminary contest in the studio. Many students have just a small memory slip here and there, but sound quite musical. With 2 weeks before the competition, we are in relatively good shape and spirits.

Without thinking about what we were saying today, a student and I decided that those dang ole memory spots were like puddles. She kept wanting to back up in the piece and try to go through the muddy spot by going backward first. I suggested that she jump over the puddle and keep on going.

My concern with memory issues is the vicious cycle of getting stuck in the same spot and never getting out of the endless loop. I have been known to be on the musical highway from here to there, and taken the wrong exit, so to speak, and wound up in Poughkeepsie, rather than Atlanta. If I hadn't tried to go around the road block and make up my own offramp, I would have been on the right highway.

My friend, Miriam likes to embarrass me about the time in Pedagogy class when I was asked to play my Beethoven Sonata, Op. 2 movement I was working on.

I was not mentally prepared to play this one. I had been working really hard all week on my Debussy Reflections on the Water. So, somehow, in the middle of the Beethoven I took an off ramp, and got to the the middle of the Debussy anyway, without missing a beat, she claims.

I think I must have had some stumbling around; they're centuries apart, and not anything close to the style of each other. I don't really recall many of my pedagogy performances. What I do recall was what everyone else was performing. I still think of some of my colleagues in terms of what they were preparing musically.

I think if I had been a puddle jumper rather than an off-road 4-wheeling warrior, it would have served my better, but we'll never know. For now, I'll teach to hop over, and not try to go around the mud. And hopefully, ultimately, fix the puddle!

"When it Rains, It Pours"?

2011-01-08T14:10:00.000-06:00

I'm having an incredibly trying, tantrum evoking, kick off to 2011. When I have exasperatedly and dramatically expounded on my many disasters over the course of a few days, several people (read 7 and counting!) have chosen the phrase, "when it rains, it pours!"

What a funny, curious thing to say. I wonder where it came from? I found a GoEnglish.com website that had the above cute graphic and said, "it hasn't happened in a long time, and then it happens all at once." It then sighted some examples of how to use the idiom correctly. But what I was really hoping for with my blathering on and on was a more philosophical discussion of why. Why now? The age of the furnace and the refrigerator are not the same or are they old. Are the car and the electrical box on some sort of electro-magnetic wavelength with each other so that they both decide to fail within 20 minutes of each other?

Some have suggested that the latest lunar eclipse was going to bring some cataclysmic appetizers as our world comes to an end. It arrived on the Winter Solstice. This hasn't happened since 1638. I mean, Bach wasn't even born until 1685; it's a long time inbetween events! We were still in the Renaissance period. I can see how it might be worrysome, given how rare it is.

One person thought that the origin of the phrase "when it rains, it pours" was from the Morton Salt company, who used it with their girl and umbrella very successfully. I could not find out whether they invented it or simply used it.

I think that there is not a reason for everything, and that sometimes things just happen. And yes, it had been awhile since things around here broke down, but I'm starting to feel a bit picked on. Any explanations of the "When it rains, it pours" would be greatly appreciated.

This matches my current out of control mood.

Rhythm Month

2011-01-03T09:19:00.000-06:00

I am taking a month to reinforce rhythm at the studio. I have found a strange pattern of weakness in my students. If they are band students, they have great rhythm as a general rule, but are not strong interval readers. If they are in choir, they can sight sing really well, but are not sure of rhythm patterns. To begin the week, we will start with this silly video, which will be uploaded onto the computer in the waiting room. Note that the "ticking noise" could be the metronome equal of eighth notes. We may write down the rhythms of each character, or at least clap some of them for the younger ones. Fun huh? Did you know that this silly little video has over 94 million hits? I thought you should.

The Star Polisher

2010-12-31T17:09:00.004-06:00

One of my students gave me a poem for Christmas, with a package of Starburst candy attached as an ornament. I thought it was worth sharing with all my fellow Star Polishers on this New Year's Eve. Peace to you, fellowship and good music making in 2011.

The Star Polisher
by Leah Becks

I have a great job in the universe of occupations.
What do I do? I'm a "star polisher".

It's a very important job.
If you want to know how important,
just go out at night and
look at the stars
twinkling and sparkling.

You see, I'm a teacher.
The stars are the children in my class.
My job is to take them in, in whatever shape they come
and shine and buff them and send them
out to take their places as
bright beacons
in the sky.

They come to my room in all shapes, sizes.
Sometimes they're bent, tarnished, dirty, crinkly and broken.
Some stars are cuddly, soft and sweet.
Some stars are prickly and thorny.

I buff, polish, train and teach.
I tell them that the world cannot do without them.
I tell them they can do anything they set their mind to do.
I tell them they can be bright shining stars and the
world will be a better place because of them.

Each night as I look at the sky,
I'm reminded of my very important job,
my awesome responsibility.
I go, and get my softest buffing cloth
and bottle of polish in preparation for tomorrow
and my class of little stars.

To this I will only add that it's important for me to remember that the gifts are already contained in these precious creations, and that I must be oh so gentle, as to not do any harm. All stars are fragile and beautiful.

Ocean Fries

2010-12-30T22:14:00.004-06:00

Just before Christmas, my five year old student was having a very hard time concentrating at his lesson. I presumed it was the upcoming holiday, Santa and all.
I asked him what was on his mind.

"Last summer, we went to Santabel Island and I went swimming in the ocean."

At this point, I was wondering if I should have asked the question.

"When I was swimming in the ocean, I got water in my mouth. It was DIS-GUST-ING!"

"I've tasted ocean water too. You're right, it's not very tasty." Why is he thinking about this right now?

"My mom and dad want to go to Wendy's after my lesson."

"Shall we get back to Silly Clown?"

"One more minute. I don' want to go to Wendy's, Mrs. Wolf. That restaurant started putting sea salt on their french fries! WHY would they DO that? I don't want to go to Wendy's for supper. I am not even going to try ocean fries. No way, no way."

Diana Laufenberg: How to learn? From mistakes | Video on TED.com

2010-12-17T13:29:00.000-06:00

Diana Laufenberg: How to learn? From mistakes | Video on TED.com

This is a talk from Ted.com mostly focusing on public education, but I believe there is a lot of good information here for the private studio teacher as well. YouTube, iTunes, the internet, and even Facebook SHOULD change the way we teach. The knowledge is not merely a click away.

Composer Photos

2010-12-12T21:05:00.005-06:00

Two weeks ago, a student opened her book of music only to comment again, "Ew, that composer's picture always gives me the creeps!" I thought it was really funny that she turned to the inside cover every day, even though her piece is on page 10. I put a tape flag on her page and suggested she simply use the flag and not open the book from the beginning.
This week, she had to show me what her sister had done to her book. She turned open the cover, and there was her sister's picture, completely covering the composer. Smiling broadly, the sibling made both of us laugh out loud. Now, I feel compelled to open this cover every week just to see the cute smiling face of a sister who stepped up to the rescue.
Many composers' photos are embossed on covers of their music. I have often wondered why. If the piece is good, do you want to see who wrote it? Is it important that if the composer is arguably plain looking that you avoid picturing them? Why is a photo even included with a composition? Sometimes the publishers use oil paintings to put a face on a famous composer pre-Polaroid. They are often formal and serious paintings. I don't know if I looked at them much as a student. OK, I might have drawn a mustache on a few, and I definitely remember a pair of glasses on Edvard Grieg. Good grief, right? (I couldn't help it. Feel free to print this and draw to your heart's content...)
Current pictures of current composers could give a sense of connection between the student and the composer, I guess. Seeing that the piece was written by a real human being, man or woman, may add to their enjoyment of the music, but I'm not sure that my students actually acknowledge this person. I have pointed out that the internet is a great way to actually talk to the composer of some of their pieces. The reaction is usually incredulous looks and instant shyness when I suggest that they contact the composer of their favorite music.
What do you think? What do current composer photographs in the music do for students?
(Pictures above are Beethoven, Handel, Mozart, and Grieg, not particularly in that order.)

My Neighborhood Cookie Exchange

2010-12-05T22:25:00.000-06:00

One day, several neighbors got together to share stories and a cup of coffee. The snow from the night before had buried their street in 8 inches of marshmallow-like coating. We are not all the same kind of neighbors on our street. Some homes are upscale, some are modest. We are very different people in these homes; age, religious affiliations, and political ideas should separate us. For some reason, those viewpoints do not.

Each neighbor brought a homemade treat, in bags or on plates, for their friends. I took 9 bags of caramels, I received 9 plates of treats in exchange.

We caught up on children and grandchildren, life and love, deaths and illnesses, and planned a spring garage sale. The woman that had had heart trouble was there. We talked of pacemakers, upcoming graduation parties, and college plans. We talked of weather. When one mentioned that she was snowbound without flour for baking, 2 neighbors offered theirs. Another, a hunter widow, was wondering how to get her driveway cleared. When she pointed out the window at which one was her home, a neighbor man was already out with his snow blower, blazing a trail down her sidewalk. Problems solved over poppyseed quick bread and hot tea. It felt like communion to me.

Three hours flew by and I arrived back home with stories and goodies. I realize not all our neighbors joined us for a morning. I realize not all the neighbors wanted to join us. Not all our neighbors care that I think this neighborhood is pretty terrific. and tasty. But most of all, I realize that what separates us is not as strong as what joins us.

iNversions ala tomato

2010-11-13T20:00:00.000-06:00

All the students are working on inversions this month. Even the youngest of the studio are practicing "tipping chords over". Older students do the circle of 5ths, we are also learning minors, dominant and diminished 7ths, solid and broken. It's a good time to do this before we learn Christmas carols by ear and need the chords.

I explained that to make an inversion is like doing a cartwheel. As you tip over, your hands touch the ground. But you stay you, and a chord, as we tip it over, stays the same notes too. So a chord with the notes C-E-G tips over to be an E-G-C, and a G-C-E, but it is still a C Major chord. My blocks invention is also very helpful spelling chords and manipulating the notes. you can watch the inversion happen, while tangibly touching the wooden blocks.

Last week we had a few students still wanted to change C-E-G, to E-G-B (!) as they tipped it over, so I ran upstairs and got my ketchup bottle. "As I tip my ketchup over to pour it out," I demonstrated, "it does not become mustard. It is still ketchup, even on its side." The notes are the same, and the chord is the same, no matter what note is on the left or the right.

One clever fellow reminded me that his ketchup bottle stands on its head; it's already upside down, so he doesn't need to learn inversions, he'll just always buy the ketchup with the cap at the bottom. At the local grocery store, they still sell both styles of bottles, pictured here, cap at the top, and cap on the bottom.

I said I was going to come to his house and tip his ketchup over in the refrigerator.
You are a product of the 70s if you know why I chose this song.

metronome

2010-11-09T16:09:00.003-06:00

My student last night sat the metronome in the corner of the room, in the "time-out corner. It was not using its indoor voice!"
She even faced it to the wall.
She was having a hard time keeping a pulse; it was bound to happen.
Not many have ever told me, "oh boy, I love playing with the metronome."
Actually, I'm still waiting for the first student to tell me that.

Minor scales were so October

2010-11-03T10:26:00.004-05:00

Hey-I forgot to tell you all about the warm ups my studio did in October! We spent the month learning about those spooky harmonic minors. The younger ones learned the major then the minor and how to lower the 3 and the 6. The older you got, the more octaves and complex we went.
We learned a lot, explored some new keys, and played around with that harmonic note, writing a few scary licks and songs around it.

I have been using more YouTube videos for both great and awful performances. After I sent a student home to watch his current Scarlatti piece and tell me what he thought, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJUH1msix64), he sent me this reply.

"I see your vid, and raise you one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t66PGfcUUyw."

This video was interesting to me, a little long,(jump to 3 minutes in if you want to hear her play), but students could gain some motivation from this. She plays her scales in 10th, an octave plus a third apart. They sound better that way, don't they? My student laughed about her "slower" tempo. I also need to add that chromatic scale to my list of student technical abilities. What do you think? Should I send this to all my studio in January?

November here is all about inversions, more on this soon. I also decided to participate in NaNoWriMo, so posts may be sporadic for awhile this month. Not like they haven't been already.

Chopin Mazurkas

2010-10-21T16:00:00.000-05:00

I'm doing a little work about mazurkas this week. A student will be playing her first Mazurka this year. She has played other romantic works, and one or two other Chopin pieces. I decided I better look into the new research and changing viewpoints of Chopin's Mazurka writing.
So, to Wikipedia first...
"The folk origins of the mazurek are two other Polish musical forms—the slow kujawiak, and the fast oberek. In the 19th century, the dance became popular in many ballrooms in different parts of Europe. The Polish national anthem has a mazurek rhythm but is too slow to be considered a mazurek. There are many Polish versions of the mazurek but the most notable one is the mazurka.

In Polish, this musical form is called "mazurek"—a word derived from "mazur," which up to the nineteenth century denoted an inhabitant of Poland's Mazovia region, and which also became the root for "Masuria". In Polish, "mazurka" is actually the genitive and accusative cases of "mazurek."

Several classical composers have written mazurkas, with the best known being the 58 composed by Frédéric Chopin for solo piano. Chopin first started composing mazurkas in 1825, but his composing did not become serious until 1830, the year of the November Uprising, a Polish rebellion against the Russian government.

The stylistic and musical characteristics of Chopin's mazurkas differ from the traditional variety because Chopin in effect created a completely separate and new genre of mazurka all his own. For example, he used classical techniques in his mazurkas, including counterpoint and fugue. By including more chromaticism and harmony in the mazurkas, he made them more technically interesting than the traditional dances. Chopin also tried to compose his mazurkas in such a way that they could not be used for dancing [citation needed], so as to distance them from the original form.

However, while Chopin changed some aspects of the original mazurka, he maintained others. His mazurkas, like the traditional dances, contain a great deal of repetition: repetition of certain measures or groups of measures; of entire sections; and of an initial theme. The rhythm of his mazurkas also remains very similar to that of earlier mazurkas. However, Chopin also incorporated the rhythmic elements of the two other Polish forms mentioned above, the kujawiak and oberek; his mazurkas usually feature rhythms from more than one of these three forms (mazurek, kujawiak, and oberek). This use of rhythm suggests that Chopin tried to create a genre that had ties to the original form, but was still something new and different."

Interesting, huh? I love that fact that he started with a known style, but created something new. I told her that this was a more traditional common folk dance, and that it was meant to be danced to, so I will have to amend that statement when I see her again. Here are 2 clips of both the Mazurka and "Polka Mazurka" dance, how graceful in these clothes. I have danced the polka mazurka, which is the dance I decribed to her with the kick of the foot.

Here's the piece I've given her, a less familiar Mazurka, but still charming, I think.

I seem to be in a Chopin binge this month. Tomorrow I will be taking a trip to a college to see their music department and Saturday is the big multi-state Youth In Music band tournament. For more information on this event, www.youthinmusic.org. And I'll try to take pictures of both trips and bring them back here!

Policies Retooled, Part 2

2010-10-19T15:00:00.000-05:00

Having created a more true to self policy, I offer it for you to review now. I crafted my sheet and sent it with this month's statement. Here's a copy. This is a lot different than many legal versions. I wonder whether this is "fluffy" or going to be problematic; I guess I'll find out soon enough. It certainly is not what I used to believe was the essence of a well girded and guarded studio policy.

TUITION –Regular Lessons run Sept.-May, fees are monthly, 30, 45, or 60 minutes.

PAYMENT OF FEES – Payable for the month in advance of lessons, make checks payable to Wolf Piano Studio. Statements are sent at the end of the month to show activity on your account. A $20.00 overdue fee per family will be charged to accounts not paid in full by the 15th of each month, because that's what my bank charges me. Please tell me if financial needs arise. I have barter options.

ABSENCES - We will be fair to each other and be professional. If I am going to miss your lesson, I will credit your account or find a make-up time. I do not give credit or make up lessons when you are absent as a general rule. Of course, emergencies happen. Please do me the courtesy of a telephone call or email; I will worry if you’re not here.

STUDIO – Be respectful of my home and the neighborhood. Some ideas while you wait might include: check your homework, read a music magazine, or listen to a variety of CDs. I highly encourage you to use the computer center, games, and the Clavinova (keyboard with over 600 sounds).

LESSON TERMINATION – We will come to an agreement that is amenable and caring. Most times, people have courteously given at least a one month paid notice.

PRACTICE –This is the key to improvement. Practice on the days you eat. There’s no better way to say it. A set schedule that includes practice at the same time every day, perhaps after dinner, or before school is best. Some weeks there will be more to practice, other weeks will be less. When you come to lessons, you have entered “NO EXCUSE” land. Do not apologize for less than adequate practice. We will work together on the things that did get better.

VISITS - Parents are always welcome to sit in on lessons.

RECITALS – Sharing our music is a joy when we are ready and comfortable. At least 2 performance opportunities inhouse will be available to each student per school year. Contests, theory, festivals, and end of year Guild auditions are also available. Performances at nursing homes, malls, etc. are encouraged.

TEACHER RESPONSIBILITY - * Nurture a positive atmosphere for learning. * Provide varied performance opportunities. * Set short and long-term goals for each student. * A dedication to your piano development.
* Maintain quality instruments at the studio * Further her teaching skills by belonging to professional organizations, attending workshops and educational programs, reading professional publications, and engaging in other activities leading to her continued growth.

So, am I growing in maturity or "getting soft"?

Policies Retooled, Part 1

2010-10-06T17:59:00.008-05:00

"There is no more important document describing 'the professional you' than your studio policy," said The Piano Education Page. I have read more than 400 policy statements over the last weeks. According to Google, I have 134,000 more to go and I have grown a certain distaste for them. The books I have read assure me that spending a lot of time on this document results in clear communication and prompt payment. It starts to sound like if I word my policy just clearly enough that there will never be a misunderstanding or conflict. This is not my knowledge of the world to date.

I was rereading my own studio policy last month and I decided I wasn't really the teacher it sounded like. It read more like a ten commandments decree than a covenant between two parties interested in sharing a long commitment of music together. So I changed it. But then, I was curious about what other teacher colleagues used and opened a real dilemma for myself.

Many of the policies I have read online sound so harsh. In one case, if you muddied her carpet, she'd charge you for its cleaning. In another, he threatened to dismiss you from the studio if your nails had dirt under them. Ever. No excuses.

In the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, piano teachers can access a piano lesson guideline online. Here is some information from their site.

Most piano teachers use a “studio policy” to communicate the specifics about the logistics of piano lessons. This is, in effect, a legally binding contract between the piano teacher and the piano student (or parents).

Below you will find some items that might be found in a piano teacher’s studio policies.

FEES – the manner in which you must pay for your piano lessons should be clearly communicated.

TUITION: Piano teachers require their students to pay for their piano lessons in many different ways such as: once a month, once a quarter, or at each piano lesson. Some piano teachers charge an “hourly rate” while others charge a “monthly rate” (in which you pay the same amount each month for your piano lessons even if there are Holidays in that month).

REGISTRATION FEES: New piano students may be required to pay a one-time (or annually reoccurring) registration fee.

LATE PAYMENT FEES: The deadline for payment of fees should be clearly explained. If you fail to meet that deadline, there may be a penalty for late payment.

BOUNCED CHECK FEES: If you write a check to your piano teacher for your piano lessons, and if that check gets returned to your piano teacher due to insufficient funds, you may be required to reimburse your piano teacher for more than a simple late payment fee.

MATERIALS: Some piano teachers will provide their piano students with all of their piano music for a fee. Other piano teachers will ask that you pay for each item as needed.

FESTIVALS, COMPETITIONS, AND OTHER EVENTS. If your piano teacher has you participate in other activities in addition to your private piano lessons, there may be an extra fee for that (which may or may not be paid directly to your piano teacher).

PIANO LESSONS CALENDAR. The times when your piano lessons are to be held should be clearly communicated.

PIANO LESSONS EVERY WEEK. Most piano teachers require their piano students to enroll in piano lessons on a continuing basis from week to week.

SUMMER PIANO LESSONS. Many piano teachers do teach during this summer months. This is usually due to two main reasons. First long breaks from piano lessons can really set back progress. Second, their piano teaching is most likely their main source of income, and they probably need that income to continue in the summer. If you decide to not take piano lessons in the summer, some piano teachers will require you to drop out of their piano studio and re-enroll in the fall.

HOLIDAYS AND VACATION. Most piano teachers will include which days are considered “Holidays” and Vacation days. You may or may not pay a different amount when your piano lessons happen to fall on one of these days.

MISSED PIANO LESSONS. If you miss a piano lesson for some reason, the studio policy will often communicate the consequences of your absence. Some piano teachers are generous about offering makeup piano lessons as long as you contact them before the scheduled piano lesson (often at least 24 hours in advance), but other piano teachers will not offer private makeup piano lessons. This too is understandable since your piano teacher has reserved a spot in their schedule for you, and if you choose to not attend that meeting for any reason, that time is still reserved even if you are not at your piano lesson.

RESCHEDULING PIANO LESSONS. Some piano teachers give you the option to reschedule one of your piano lessons if you know in advance that you will be unable to attend your piano lesson at the normally scheduled time. Most piano teachers will not reschedule piano lessons on a regular basis. This is usually done infrequently.

TERMINATING PIANO LESSONS. All piano teacher policies should contain instructions regarding how to end your piano lessons if such a need arises. Most piano teachers require a minimum two-week notice. This usually means that once you provide notice (usually required in writing), then you are responsible for paying for your piano lessons two weeks after that notice has been given even if you do not attend those piano lessons.

PRACTICING. Some piano teachers put specific practicing requirements in their piano teacher policies.

LEGALITY. The policy may or may not be signed by the parent, teacher, and/or student that they understand what the rules are and that practice will happen.

So, I did have all my bases covered. For those of you curious about my former policy, I'll leave it on my website, www.wolfpiano.com for a few more days. Tomorrow I'll share my new one with you here.

Some of my colleagues have a multi-page document for the rules and regulations of their studios, often because they teach in their home, and sometimes because of some people who have taken advantage of them. I certainly understand multi-teacher studios with hundreds of families having strict and legal policies regarding payment.

Yet, some teachers have policies for worries that are perceived but have never really happened to them. I believe that most people who are studying here for lessons have good intentions and honest souls. They don't want to be bilked for lessons not received or gouged by big fees either.

So, is a policy document legally binding, looked over by an attorney, and a necessity? Is it am implied agreement between two parties regardless of paperwork? The legality of our teaching does not depend on a triplicate document, with a notary public does it?

More tomorrow...

Hands

2010-10-06T16:41:00.004-05:00

I started teaching the five finger position to a five year old this week. He has been playing black keys so when we moved to the white keys it was a big deal. Tiny little pinky did not want to play his note so I demonstrated. Here is the conversation that followed. Imagine that very cute five year old boy lisp as I try to relay it in text to you.

"Woah, Mrs. Woff, yo hands arw BIG!"
"Well, yes, they are bigger than yours, but someday you will have man hands, and then they will be big too."
"NO! My hands wiw be even biggor dan yours! Have you seen my Dad? His hands arw HUGE!"

OK, Dad obviously heard that one. So, I opened the door, and we had a big, bigger, biggest moment. It was so adorable to me that my little guy knew he was going to follow in his father's footsteps. I hope it's true musically too. Dad used to really play piano, according to Grandma. Back as a repeat video, is "Rachmaninoff Had Big Hands", just because my conversation reminded me of this funny clip!

Hope you are enjoying the change of the seasons, wherever you are. It's been gorgeous in Minnesota. Here is the view from the board meeting room last Friday.

Do I Play Organ Anymore?

2010-10-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

I used to play quite a bit of organ; I played and took lessons growing up, and many of the church positions of pianist come with organist attached as a matter of course. There's a huge difference between playing a wind instrument like an organ and the percussion instrument of a piano. Because they both have keyboards, many people believe they are similar. Weddings also inspire the question "Do you play organ?"
Every organ is very different and often for a wedding there is little to no time to familiarize yourself with the stops and registration. Most organs I have had to use also have the "shades of disrepair" ghost looming over the cobweb-filled pipes. It is very embarrassing to find out during the processional, as the bride enters the sanctuary, that a stop you've chosen rattles and clunks like the chains of old Marley himself! But that's another story.
Earlier this week a church called and was wondering whether I would be interested in coming back to fill a "one-service per Sunday" position. There would be no extra rehearsals, they'd give me the list of hymns ahead, just show up and play. The secretary was new, and my name was in their files as a back-up organist. This was news to me. I haven't played for them since 1999, and then it was full-time.
After the call, which I turned down by the way, I began to wonder when exactly WAS the last time I had played an organ? I think is was at that church a decade ago. There have been occasional wedding gigs since then, but nothing seriously organ. Would I consider myself an organist anymore? I would need so much practice on not just my pedal technique, but the keyboard as well! I came to the conclusion that the answer is no.
There are many articles and editorials that point to the slow death of organs in America and likewise organists. Many churches have not built space for a pipe organ, and have leaned toward more contemporary praise bands. One large church in my city began an organ fund five years ago. They have positioned themselves to eventually build a very big pipe organ and be a concert venue for the entire south metro area, in addition to their worship needs.
I have a friend from my grad school days that knows where every "decent" pipe organ is, he hopes to play them all before he dies. The list is shrinking as they need repair and are not fixed. He teaches organ too, but very few students want to learn this instrument.
In my area, there is a public radio program called "Pipedreams" which shares concerts in beautiful churches on these grand instruments. For more information on this program, to see some pictures of these gorgeous and sometimes flashy organs, or to hear some of the sounds click here.

The organ pictured is the 2006 Holtkamp organ in the Boe chapel of St. Olaf College, in Northfield, Minnesota. And finally, this is the organ piece I loved to play in high school, and frankly I never improved from here. This organist is outstanding, it's clear, not too fast, and the cathedral, well, wowoza.

Teaching in my studio at last!

2010-09-28T14:21:00.003-05:00

Sunday night (read LATE Sunday night), we moved the piano into the studio, and uncovered it. I awoke it from its slumber with Chopin and Brahms. It's out of tune, it was dusty, and it is heaven. I am so inspired by this space. I find myself now at a crossroad because what should go back in the room doesn't feel right anymore. I used to have an upright piano and oodles of books in there.
We drove the upright piano in there Sunday, but I had them take it back out. It just seemed so crowded. Right now, it's like a mini-concert hall; gorgeous, live and full of life.
All the many, many, too many books and music shelves are covered in sheet rock dust. It's making me rethink whether they "deserve" a place in this lovely space. Should I really take that old sheet music into this room, if I am not sure I plan to teach it? What about my older accompaniment books? Perhaps they should be donated to the MMTA Foundation or sold on Ebay? I just don't know.
Right now they are cluttering up my waiting area in the fireplace room, staring at me. Well? Are you going to get busy? Clean up this mess!
One of my students played a piano solo version of the "In the Hall of the Mountain King" yesterday, one of the first polished student pieces on the piano in the new room, and his pianissimo was stellar.
Anyone unsure of whether John Williams was influenced by Edvard Grieg, close your eyes and think of the castle in this video as Hogwarts! Right? Wow, movie music if I ever heard it.
I'm so excited to invite you all to come and play in my new room-stop by and see it soon!

Dance, Willow, Dance!

2010-09-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

Minnesota is in the midst of a deluge of storms. Our pond is flooding the bike paths and walking trails.
Willow is dancing; her long hair is almost horizontal as she sways. The dissonance of the thundersong whips the cattails and reeds into joining the chaotic frenzy. All the trees are exhausted, even the ground is tired, but the wind continues. Dance, he bellows! DANCE! You must keep dancing! MUST KEEP DANCING

A Fairy Tale You Can Believe In

2010-09-25T07:00:00.001-05:00

Once upon a time, on a bright and sunshine-y day, a lady had a car accident. There was a lot of broken glass, but no broken bones. The crash made a loud, metal twisting, screeching, scary noise. This noise must have been heard around the country, because people started coming to the lady's house. For weeks, friends and acquaintances, strangers and neighbors brought food to her and her family. Every day, meals arrived at the door. Beautifully prepared and ready to eat, healthy and delicious food came in cars to her front step. Cards and emails, phone calls and letters poured in to her home. One friend canned all her tomatoes. People visited, played games with her children, did her grocery shopping, and helped clean her house. They laughed and cried with her. They listened to her stories. They made time to be with her.

What is this, the lady wondered, that I should have all this love poured out on me? What does this mean?

One day, the lady was feeling so much better that she didn't need this much help anymore. People were not at the door, but the lady still wondered. What brought them to her in the first place? It is certainly not about who she is, so it must be about what kind of people THEY are.

The lady has repeated the amazing story of these people many times. Some do not believe her tale. They say, "People don't do that anymore." "People are too busy." The lady thinks there is a deeper question. "People wouldn't come to help me, would they?"

There IS a happily ever after. May we all be part of it.

Chapel Wall

2010-09-20T22:17:00.005-05:00

I decided on the paint color "Chapel Wall" because I have so many ideas on what to place on them and it needed to be neutral! (Or maybe because I'll pray before every lesson.) We spent the weekend preparing, then priming and painting the studio. Today the lights were placed in their sleeves, tape was removed, and outlet covers were attached. Next on the list is door and window trim, floor trim, then carpeting. The final task is putting everything back so I can find it.
Students are finding their groove about their practice time. Many are bumping along through sports, homework and the reality of school. Making schedules and rising to expectations is stabilizing. I don't sense any dread yet, it's too early. However, a few students realized this week that piano lessons can not be accomplished on Sunday night. Many of my colleagues are challenging students to press ahead on devoted practice time. I'm giving out really great literature and hoping that the music will be the motivator. This week will be telling!

Crimson Creator

2010-09-18T08:34:00.000-05:00

One bough, brought to crimson
though still late summer.
One arm of red, reaching for angels
to awaken, nudge, bedazzle.
"Look around, fair one, behold!
Whether you sleep or stir, the seasons move.
A swirling creation, set in motion in a word,
spoken into being in a breath.
It was good, it is good, but you,
you are
very good.
See me? I'm in red today.

Enrique, Lionel, and melodic lifting

2010-09-16T19:24:00.002-05:00

It has long been recognized as a nod of compliment to a composer if you reference their work in your own composition. In the classical world, many composers not only saluted their contemporary colleagues, but sometimes roasted them as well. A famous example of this occurs in Debussy's "Golliwog's Cakewalk". In the middle of B section, Debussy musically quotes a Richard Wagner's "Tristan and Isolde" melody, tongue in cheek. He really pokes fun at the very long opera for 12 measures or so.

The other day the radio was on the popular contemporary station here at the house. I am not familiar with many of these songs. But I was startled to hear a lick I had heard in my wilder days in the middle of one of Enrique Iglesias' new tune. Yes, he's a son of Julio who has become very popular both in Latin and American markets.

I was startled in this video by the scantily clad women, by the way. I am terribly bashful and outdated about the club scene. I had no idea really. So, if you are offended, so was I, in a Midwestern mid-40s, had two babies sort of way. But did you hear it? Smack dab in the middle of this 2010 piece is Lionel Ritchie's "All Night Long". So, I had to show my own children the musical reference, via YouTube as well. Imagine my shock to see the following video right after the above. I thought that the dancing was so great and the styles were so great and the music was so great back then. It looks so comical and simplistic now, doesn't it?

I want to believe that Enrique was being complimentary in his salute to this song. The dance scene, the party, the women, the way he moves through the crowd similarly to what Lionel was doing seems a sincere form of flattery. I hope so. What do you think?

Fallow Lands are being tilled

2010-09-15T16:43:00.005-05:00

Some of my students came back this week, sheepishly telling me that they took August off. They were full of guilt, and shuffled their feet or looked to the ground as they told me this.

My response? Fantastic! That's what the studio break was for! I relayed to them that farmers who want great crops will sometimes leave a field fallow for a time. They do this to refresh the field, to bring the nutrients back to the soil naturally. Leaving the field unplanted for a time gives the next crop energy. You were being fallow, I told them. This is now good soil in your mind and spirit to plant some new seed and watch it grow! And boy is it going to be a good crop this year.

They are coming back to me, older, with stories of cabins and vacation. They return with bumps and bruises from skateboards and soccer games. They are ready with a quick smile and giggles at the music set before them and the plans we make together about their upcoming year here.

I really appreciate the rhythm of the seasons and am thankful for soil to till.

Light....and it was good

2010-09-10T17:17:00.002-05:00

The parts arrived and our friend came over. The box is now wired up to code and we just had to try out the new switch with dimmer! Boldly lighting up the studio with just 3 bulbs, we are in business electrically! Yeehaw!

What I Learned about Sheet Rock

2010-09-09T16:55:00.005-05:00

1. It's messy.
2. It's hard to work with; bringing it in the house required careful planning and measuring.
3. It's surprisingly fragile.
4. Mudding sucks.
5. Sanding is your friend.
6. Make sure to have a good cordless screwdriver and sheet rock bit so the screw goes into the sheet rock just the right depth.
7. Mark the studs on the ceiling and the floor so you can find them again!
8 Remember to make a storyboard of your lights and outlets and switches so you can find THEM again.
9. Regarding the #8, a Roto-Zip is your friend too. It's a little tool that has a special bit with a cutting blade that cuts in any direction, with beautiful form-fitting holes.
10. Don't even try to get a professionally smooth finish unless this is your day job.
11. Tracking mud into the carpeting is not cool.

Here are the latest pictures of the studio. Progress is slow and steady, just like my healing from the car crash and surgery. We steadily climb, the studio and me, to a whole place, a better place, a lit and warm space. Peace!

Insecurity Alert!

2010-09-06T21:36:00.009-05:00

A really weird thing happened to me the other day. As I was playing piano in front of people, I noticed a woman who was holding a paper over her mouth and talking to her neighbor, and staring at me. I had been smiling and singing, enjoying the music and the crowd of people that were smiling back, but when we made eye contact, she dropped her gaze, finished her statement, then fluffed her hair, looking away. She didn't look at me the rest of the set.

The strange part of this moment was that I was transported immediately back to elementary school. Being a musician means you're putting yourself out there, being vulnerable in a way, to the slings and arrows of criticism. I found myself thinking about my outfit, my hair, my singing tone, my pitch, even the volume of the piano. I went to a very "wounded child" place, where I suddenly felt not-that-great about myself or my art. Wow, can you say second grade?

I have no idea what she was discussing. She was not yawning. Perhaps she was covering her mouth so that she wouldn't be disruptive. Do you like my "benefit of a doubt banter? Why did I feel so fearful and inadequate and why was it so palpably painful?

I have given this situation a lot of thought, unfortunately. My students may deal with this and I used to, but thought I'd gotten over it. Guess not. I guess deep down inside there is still an introverted child who pushes herself to perform.

The grownup in me gave myself about 5 seconds of those feelings and then said, "enough!" The adult person in this body knows that she is capable and sharing something unique. I will not dwell in the fearful place. I will not be judged by a stranger. I am not perfect, I am me. That is enough, that's all I can be. I am flawed and cracked; but I will not hide.

Men don't deal with this in the same way. They are compared, yes, but my husband says that rather than build concensus like women do, men are direct or dismissive. Women like to gather like-minded women to the group making them feel empowered, men make an assessment and conquer it single-handedly, sort of. Why do we DO that? Ugh, it seems ridiculous to me now.

It sure was a blow to me that I could be transported to an ugly place in the blink of an eye, while trying to concentrate on playing and singing well, leading others, and don't forget, to "keep on smiling".

"Downtown"

2010-09-06T05:35:00.000-05:00

I wrote a new piece for church. The group and I like it. We rehearsed it last Wednesday and then out of the blue, we decided it had a vibe we had felt before. We broke into song. You guessed it, "Downtown", by Petula Clark, and now I can't stop singing this song. So for your Monday earworm delight, here is a funny Seinfeld clip, and a BBC presentation of the song.
I just have to comment that these dancer men are really swinging, aren't they? Happy Monday!

Sunday Sabbath

2010-09-05T04:20:00.000-05:00

Progress on the studio remodeling is going to take another small hiatus. It had a long one when we went on vacation, but even over the Labor Day weekend, it's important to take a Sabbath. We hope to do something wonderful outside, maybe mini golf?

Here is what I learned about remodeling lately. Switch boxes in homes come in many varieties, and ours is outdated and now a special order. (4-5 days). Carpeting that was available can be discontinued at the drop of a hat. New carpet that will be similar to what we wanted has been ordered from the warehouse and will be in late this week. Our carpet installer is working nights right now and can perhaps install new carpeting on Monday the 13th.

The new lights in the ceiling are commonly referred to as "cans". There will be 8 of them in my office now, including two that will be able to be focused, they will be "eyes", and can move a directional beam onto my music!

We have no idea who finished our basement the first time, but he did a lousy job. We've decided to name him Uncle Fred. There was no insulation in much of this room, poor 1/4" styrofoam "insulation" against the (cold) concrete blocks, and the duct work for the furnace wasn't installed correctly. The outlets were wired backward. We now have new outlets, two per wall, and this room will have its own switch for lights, on a dimmer. And we may need to purchase a new table saw, which died during this process. So, I will have better lighting and heating. I am going to decide paint color early this week.

I will roll the upright piano into our other basement room and teach from there for a week while things are finished. It will not be ideal, but it will be manageable.

Making progress

2010-09-04T15:21:00.004-05:00

Here is another studio remodeling picture and water photos from my up north vacation, as we take a diversion today. Did you know that professional sites exist to rank blogs? The top 20 Classical Music Blogs were announced the other day. I read only a few of them. Many of them appear to be sponsored by newspapers or written on the side by full-time devoted writers. Some of them are quite historical and one of them political in nature. I seem to bounce around between so many topics. Perhaps I should focus my efforts as many of them did and pursue advertisers and sponsors, get increased readership and make a concerted effort to announce my writing to the world?
Why does this not appeal to me at all anymore? There was a time when, if I was going to do an official blog, I would have been swept up in the numbers game. What is changing or has changed about me? Some may leap to conclusions of age, maturity or laziness. I seem to have stepped off the bus, and watched and maybe even waved as it drove away without me. Some days, I wonder about where the bus might have gone, most days I don't miss it. That realization is even a revelation to me. Huh.
One of my student's who is now a freshman at Notre Dame is in an Impressionism class and is writing a paper about Reflets dan leau, Reflections on the Water, by Claude Debussy. I remember immersing myself in these sounds in colors when I learned this piece. I spent weeks of time exploring it. Every nuance was gauged, painted, and then I'd try it on a different piano. What? Me, like a french piece? Me, who always wanted to play fast and splashy? What a great moment to be introspective. And the ending, aah, how I relished seeing how quietly and sublimely I could sink. Look at Claudio here, celebrating 80 years of life, passion, and music.
For those who would like to hear an interpretation, please click below. Or find a nice pond, lake or river, and listen to your own Reflections this afternoon. The air has cooled and the sun will dance on the water for you.

Stripe and Floral mix anyone?

2010-08-31T19:26:00.006-05:00

When we pulled down the ceiling tiles and stripped away the barn board, we found the most lovely, ahem, wallpaper from the previous and original owners. Apparently, in the early 1970's, metallic gold and brown stripes went with large green and gold flowers in a psychedelic, hip and groovy way. We also discovered evidence on the concrete floor that there had once been a wet bar in my disco dream office. Right on!

I turned a whiter shade of pale as the guys kept killing huge,disgusting millipedes as they got closer down to bare concrete. So in keeping with the theme here, I give you a great keyboard song from this era. "A Whiter Shade of Pale" was released in 1967 by the British band Procol Harum. The organist is Matthew Fisher, who won the co-composer rights to this song because it was unanimously ruled the keyboard was an integral part of the piece. In tribute to the wet bar and haze of my retro, trippy space, I chose a mind blowing blast from the past. Peace, man, make love not war.

Onward and Upward

2010-08-30T13:42:00.004-05:00

The studio is getting a facelift! I have been teaching almost 20 years in a space we carved out of our basement. Here is the before picture. I was very tired of the black barn board, it was almost always chilly, and the lighting was bad.

This picture is taken at the frame of the french doors, and the black chair is near a desk that will not be returning. Along that wall instead will be a Baldwin studio upright. The desk had become merely a catch all for paperclips and piles of music.

So, with the help of a dear friend, my hubby and he are ripping this area apart and updating it with all the "modern" conveniences. Stay tuned for pictures of the adventure!

Time Away

2010-08-06T15:53:00.004-05:00

The beauty of a flowering plant is in its full-blown energy devoted to blooming. Sometimes I know I feel the effort it is making to shine. Other times, it seems effortless; it is what it must do, it will do, what it was born to do.
Today I am one step closer to what I will do next Tuesday, to give up a holy chalice that bore two, to move forward into the mystery, it has been both an effort and effortless to decide. Although I was presented with three options, I have tried two of them before and they were not really acceptable.
I may continue to be out of the blogging loop momentarily, but I really want to come back stronger. Peace, be well, and be good to each other.

Incognito

2010-07-22T16:23:00.005-05:00

Truth be told, I drink one Tab brand soda every afternoon at 4:00 p.m. It's a little idiosyncrasy of mine: a hearken back to college. I don't see it as an addiction as much as I love the flavor of that woodsy goodness, and a little caffeine helps me be a step ahead of my students until 10:00 p.m. I usually teach that late during the school year. Some of my students and friends notice this bright pink can; frankly it's hard to miss the retro label and distinct color. It became a running joke with a student who won a trivia contest. Which Coca Cola product is the only one ever produced in a bright pink can? BOOM, he rang the buzzer. Later, when asked why in the world he would know the answer to the question, he replied because my piano teacher drinks it during my lesson!

I have this elixir at 4 o'clock, not usually much earlier or later. Lately, there has been a rash of mysterious 4 p.m. ding dong ditches happening at my house. There, sitting on my doorstep is a can of Tab and a new glass, usually some funky patterned retro look, (one was a tiki glass!) with ice. What a treat! And what a love gesture! Someone knows me so well! And it makes me laugh, and my family laughs at the suspense of how it will appear.

Today, the mystery friends came and stayed at the door, but they were in disguise. So was the soda. Aha! It is a recent senior graduate, who was a prize student. We had the nicest conversation. At the very end as they turned to leave, he slipped me a note. I can't even bring myself to read this thank you. I know I'm going to cry. So, I'll drink my Tab and smile, and maybe I'll read it at bedtime.

My heart is full even as it breaks. How do you explain to college music and education majors just what a treasure a career in education is? How do you articulate lives changed, most of the time, my own? I have been asked to speak to my alma mater's music class this fall about the truth of making a career in music teaching. Can it be done successfully, they wonder. They will have very real questions about financial realities, pedagogical ideas, . I have not accepted this opportunity yet because I'm not sure I can put a Groucho Marx soda into words. Does this mustache make my nose look big?

A Clean Outlook

2010-07-10T14:58:00.005-05:00

There is nothing like cleaning all the windows inside and out, and scrubbing all the deck furniture to improve my outlook. I am Puritan and/or Amish at heart, I must be. I feel better when I can see out clearly. Rumor has it that oil lamps leave a nasty mess on walls and windows and before guests come, Amish women still wash all the windows AND THE WALLS down. I didn't get that excited. But I do know that 18 windows inside and out is a day job for me. I am obsessive about streaks and spots so I go in and out often looking at them from both sides until I'm satisfied. I have a really neat special squeegie on a stick for the second story outside windows. And I have a special recipe cleaner with ammonia in it. I splurge and use dollar store paper towels rather than newspaper; I only clean my windows spring and fall, but notice my spring cleaning is in July this year. oops.
The other half of the job is vacuuming the screens. Leaving only the screens on the windows I actually open helps brighten and lighten in here too.
The deck furniture was disgusting. Years of grime on the legs and under the table are now washed away, with the help of a scrub brush and a boy with a hose. (We didn't get too wet.) I can't wait to sit out there and have a cool glass of something!
Tonight I have the privilege of seeing one of the great living pianists play one of my favorite concerti: Beethoven's Emperor! I'm so excited to go. It's up at a small college concert hall, and all the seats there are great, but it's general admission, so I want to get there early. Maybe I'll beg and wait around and get his autograph to add to my collection for students. Or maybe he doesn't do that sort of thing-every artist is different. I'll show it to you if I get an autograph.
Here is another amazing pianist, Claudio Arrau, playing the same concerto, from YouTube. Enjoy your weekend; take in some live music if you can. CDs just can not capture the energy of a real person!

New Beginnings

2010-07-08T06:30:00.000-05:00

I have the most charming five year old student beginning piano this summer. His older sister has been here two years, and he's been waiting patiently for his turn to start "pinano".
Our first lesson last week was full of squeals of delight that we were finally beginning, and with every note moving up the keyboard in our music ABC's, he alternated standing up and sitting back down. Here was our work on the board for our time together for the last two lessons. The first week we found the patterns of 2 or 3 black keys, and last week we talked about finger numbers; we discovered that he's left-handed! And he could already write some of his numbers and his name, but 3's were difficult and the number 4 was almost impossible. Many of the students after him decided to put their hands on the board too.
This time of piqued curiosity fuels me for the rest of the day. One little look or note from these kids and I want to do my absolute best for them; and they're not even mine!
On the flip side of things, I went to the music store and bought lots (read $200) of music and it was (gasp) all popular titles. This will get billed to families via their monthly statement, but it was an outlay of money in the thin air of summer lessons. But true to form, students are so excited to play.
I knew one of them had a favorite song, "Fireflies" by Owl City, one adores Michael Buble, I have some aspiring Princesses, and teen crushes on anything "Twilight". So Bella's Theme will probably be learned in one week. Lots of James Bond, Harry Potter, and Disney music went through the studio doors in July so far.
One young lady had been to an antique store and purchased music for $1.00 each. The titles were from the 20's and 30's, and she got some real gems. They will be a stretch for her hands, as many contain octaves or bigger. I plan to teach the theory behind some of those chords, but she doesn't know it yet. And the cover art? It was GORGEOUS. Frame-able, I would say!
One of the unexpected not-so-little things that happened was that as I played through many of the pieces, I lost 4 hours of my day! That hasn't happened to me in a long time. I used to disappear into my music often. Lately, I've been restless, frustrated almost, by my lack of practice, and even more so about my lackadaisical nature about said unmotivated self. I am working on a new invention (!), and still getting past the copyright issue of spring. But to dig in deeply and be compelled to the instrument by Top 40? I was caught off guard and I loved it.
Here's to popular summer tunes! What would you learn to play for fun?

Shame

2010-06-24T12:35:00.005-05:00

I loved this sign last Friday.

There's also no shame in admitting that my body is not working correctly anymore. And so I go. I used to be afraid of this decision, to be honest. But I'm so tired, that I'm past the fear, and just ready to move on. I can't be in this much discomfort 75% of my life. I noticed the other day that I've gone back to squirreling feminine products everywhere. They are under the seat of the car, in the glove box of the van, multitudes in every bathroom, in my purse of course, and I know where all the clean gas stations are on every route I travel. This must stop. It feels like a disorder of the weird-trying to hide it from the world. I carry on, smile and don't bend wrong, excuse myself often, discreetly. Besides the physical tiredness of making that much waste, I'm exhausted from the carrying on as if I'm fine, really I am. I haven't been writing much, I have begun several posts, but they sound random, distant.

I'm waiting for a doctor appointment this week, in my mind, that will end the waiting. I'll share more after he and I meet, but I hate wait. I've been scattered in my thinking, doing a little of this, not really finishing any started project. I've started a few more, what am I thinking? I think it's like a menstrual fever of sorts; I can't imagine living the rest of a week, a month, gasp, forever, this way. I love to play piano, but I haven't. I want to finish my wooden blocks project, but I haven't. I planned to paint my office, but I haven't. I have piles everywhere of
filing, of good ideas, I wonder ifs.
I wonder if I'm alone in the wandering mind syndrome. Probably not, but I'm realizing there's no shame in this either. Freeing, really.

The 50th Success

2010-06-16T06:30:00.000-05:00

We had such a lovely day on the 15th of May. It was the only nice Saturday of the month, (the Farmer's Almanac was right again.) Dad felt well, Mom looked lovely, and the people came en masse. From 1-4, the line was a block long or more to wish them well. We lost count when the 300 napkins ran out before the four o'clock bell rang. Here are some of my favorite pictures and answers to some silly trivia questions you may have!

What did you do about the powerpoint/pictures issue? Mom and Dad did not want a fuss, as you know. Mom brought a framed picture of both of their one room schoolhouse photos, black and white, and full of memories for the older crowd that had attended multi-grade classrooms. She also brought their wedding picture and the rest of the table had some balloons and a flower bouquet. We didn't have posters or a slideshow, and it didn't feel empty.

What was the best food? Hands down, the bacon wrapped teriyaki chestnuts won the day. The chef warned me that they were "putzy" and expensive, but we ate them by the plate full, and there were only 3 left. Between you and me, they were worth every extra penny. Mom and Dad have been part of a New Year's Eve group of neighbors that get together every year since 1961. (I know, right?) And the chestnuts were mainstays of the bounty of food that sustained them through nights of cards, 500 Rummy, and laughs. The neighbors have long moved from the original neighborhood, even to Arizona, but they still get together. Through marriages, children, long dresses, divorces, different political views and hangovers, they gathered, put their penny antes in the pot, and ate breakfast with bloody Mary and eventually decaf in hand.

My mom counts things - she got 421 cards and sent over 50 thank you notes, despite saying "no gifts, please". Dad was feeling well, and they are now both so glad for the day. Relatives I haven't seen in over 25 years are now Facebook friends, and I treasure learning about their lives. Here are a few pictures that say more than my words could ever convey. I'm so glad it all worked out for the best.

Lebanon Cemetery, Apple Valley, Minnesota

2010-06-14T18:46:00.009-05:00

My blog friend Roy is faithful in his treks to the local cemetery. He has beautiful posts about family names, stories about the possible people buried there, and such artistic ivy. These pictures are for you, Roy, as I attempt to do one of our local cemeteries justice.

The Lebanon Cemetery is located at the corner of two now busy roads, but it was not always so. The original cemetery was 2 acres of wooded hill amid the farmer fields and established during the civil war. The earliest recorded burial was May 25, 1861, and the stones of these first burials stand at the northwest most corner of the lot.
In May of 1997, Apple Valley voters approved acquisition of the cemetery and a bond referendum to obtain an additional eight acres of land. Transfer of the original two acres of the cemetery was made to the City in December 1998, and the additional land was purchased, and in 1998 went through some extensive remodeling.
Apple Valley was not always the name of our fair city. We were a township called Lebanon first, but the mayor in 1970's decided he liked the fair city in California with the same name very much. Apple trees grew on the west side of town, and many street names then and now have apple references.

Almost unheard of, this cemetery is owned and maintained by the city. The memorial is a very new addition to our only non-church cemetery. It is a public place to be buried, no questions asked. I really like that idea, that we can all become one, across denominations or no affiliation.
The pictures began as I was trying to capture the beauty of the lilac bushes across the road, and stumbled across the firefighter. There are more by another photographer here

Pictures coming soon, but it's been raining for over one week. Because the ground is holy to me, I can not push myself to trod its mossy mounds in the wet.

A Gift

2010-06-04T19:36:00.004-05:00

May felt juggled,
tested,
wrestled to the ground.
Enough, enough!
Ambition and striving,
Due due, do.

Now, quenching, hydrating,
the June days greet me,
beckon, wryly wink,
in the gingham of a picnic,
bubbles,
sidewalk chalk,
root beer floats.

Unassuming,
as a great plain before me.
Will I focus on her vastness? or
discover the smile
behind a tiny, fragrant wildflower,
blooming and happy for the sun! Look!
Bee! Bee! Be.

© 2010 Wolf Piano Studio

An Open Note To Students

2010-05-02T06:30:00.000-05:00

Hi there!
Yup, May and June are here. I feel your stress levels rising as we gain momentum toward the end of the year events. You're wound up. May I offer just a moment of deep breathing to you in the form of this letter? Breathing is so important, don't you agree?

Some of you have this idea that the month of May is all about tests. In school, it tends to culminate that way. Some of the music things you are involved in are even called "exams" "auditions", or "juries". This is what they are called, because the world labels things in terms it can understand. I would like to suggest that this is a PM, a performance moment. Yes, you will "pass" or get letter-type grades, you will receive comments in line with the essays you write in school. But this is not a test, repeat, these are not tests.

The person or people in your listening audience are on your side; they are part of your team. They are not your enemy or your adversary. A few may have lost sight of this, sadly. But it is true, nonetheless. This is not a sporting event; the judge is not your rival. You're in the same band, the same brotherhood, on the same mission. Excellent critical listeners realize this; they will be truthful about areas that didn't suit them musically, and encourage you to move to the next level of artistry. They want what you want, to find the utmost beauty and passion in the musical art of sound.

Let's get real. I'm not painting fluffy, la, la, you're wonderful, unicorns and butterflies here. I'm not saying you don't have to work hard. It will be daunting, exhausting, and trying. You may not perform the way you know you can. But wow, to put yourself out there, to face it and walk through it is to have learned something new.

Please let your music shine for them. And just in case you think you can, I want to say out loud that you can't please them. You must please yourself. Touch your own heart, make your own feet want to dance, and your own soul smile. This is the ultimate best prize; and one that surpasses a grade. I've heard moments of this in you and I was inspired. Listen. Hear me cheering for you? Really listen, the very world is a buzz in applause.

Are you breathing better now? Uh huh. Me too.

From one of your biggest fans,
Mrs. W.

PS: Will you do one more thing for me? Remember that your teachers in school want you to succeed too.

Copyright 2010, Wolf Piano Studio

Creative Juices FLOWING!

2010-05-01T11:10:00.004-05:00

I'm composing like wild over the last week! I have got ideas abounding, and to quote my mother, I need to "make hay while the sun shines". I am trying to figure out a way to share them with you, but from the 3 minutes I spent on uTube, the songs need a video? Well, I guess I need to learn that next. Or maybe the video can be of the children in the musical at the end of June? I may have to wait that long to share.
Wolfy and I are also learning how to record vocals this week. Sadly, we're not very good at it, but I'd like to have a few background tracks for the musical songs, and a lead track that can help the students learn their part. We've spent a good long time hooking and wiring this into that, try this mic, this line, this port, that different cable. I'm so glad I have someone technical here. Why do they write such technical jargon for manuals. Don't they know I'm a creative type?
This week the students will perform for a national judge for a report card type grade. Students can do as few as 2, or as many as 20 pieces, by memory, or with music, and the judge is listening for developing musicianship skills. Our end of the year recital and awards ceremony is next Sunday, plus Mom and Dad's 50th next weekend.
Aah, the merry month of May is here. I feel like I'm so busy "doing" that I'm not spending much time "thinking". I'm a do-er, though, so this busyness suits me.
As I think about the dang ole issue I posted about last week, I am going to use it to propel the invention forward. I want to use this summer to push myself to get them in stores, and find a way to make lemonade, so to speak. Wow, I'm full of cliches this morning. TTFN, ta ta for now! I'm off to pick up May baskets of flowers, return clothes that I purchased for the girl that she didn't like, get a suit shirt for the boy, look for a more formal dress for myself, drive people places, practice for Sunday, and enjoy the windy day with friend on the deck later.

so close

2010-04-29T06:30:00.000-05:00

The Pond (April 21)

2010-04-22T04:05:00.000-05:00

We have the look and feel of late spring in Minnesota already. Trees around the pond are in the last push to give birth to leaves. The flower are vibrant, the sun-dappled pond shimmers, and the first batch of ducklings will arrive any day. Last year there was still a lot of snow on the ground. We had a frost on May 17th. I really enjoy the newness of life after winter.

I am dealing with the very serious issue of copyright in the midst of this new life. The irony is not lost on me. My invention and I have been violated. I don't want to deal with this. This is such grown up stuff. It socked me right in the gut and the feeling hasn't left me. I just don't understand why someone would do this? I can't talk about the situation, but I need to share my feelings about it.

I found out about it really late Friday night via an email. Dang, why do I check my emails before bed, anyway? I should just enjoy the evening and go to sleep, right? On Sunday, I got some wise council from friends, which I'll share here.

First of all, a friend asked me why I would roll over and not defend myself or my invention. That's why the systems are in place, he said. This is about so much more than money, it's about self respect, he said. Don't I have any? Ouch.

Then the sermon was all about crisis. Drawing a big purple X in the middle of the screen, the pastor said this is where the stuff happens. Little black arrows pointed toward the X. These are the many things that caused the stuff to happen. Growing out from the X was a big green arrow pointing toward the future. This was God, in the midst of it all, bringing new life and hope forward. Courage, the Pastor said, was moving forward doing the right thing, even when it's hard. Knowing that we are not alone in it brings the green hope of life.

Finally, being all mopey last night on the couch, my dear 16 year old snuggled up next to me. Explain why you're upset, Mom. It's such a small music world, I sobbed. I know what some people will say and they will judge this situation without knowing the facts. They will decide things when they don't know the whole story. I don't want to damage my reputation in the community; I have always worked so hard IN and FOR the music industry. Mom, she said, the people who care (about that) don't matter, and the people who matter don't care.

I haven't slept for three days. I met with a copyright attorney yesterday. I paid a lot of money to get some very good information and I hired him. I never thought as a little private piano teacher I'd have to deal with so much business stuff. They certainly didn't prepare me for this in college.

A copyright is a right to copy and copyrights are protected. May I be likewise.

Oh So Pretty, Huh?

2010-04-21T06:30:00.000-05:00

I love spring! What else can I say?

The Joshua Bell Article

2010-04-20T08:26:00.000-05:00

I am still somewhat perplexed. Are we so busy as to miss beauty?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html

New Growth Evident

2010-04-19T06:30:00.000-05:00

Last December, I put evergreen "tops" and red dogwood branches in the planter by the mailbox. Early in the year, I pulled the greens and decorated the red branches with red hearts in February, green lights and little green ribbons in March, and quickly changed it to Easter eggs in time for April 4th. Last week, Monday, I was going to plant pansies, removing the well used twigs.

Lo and behold, the dogwood branches had green leaves and more buds! I have never seen this before in a cutting from a tree. I was at a loss for words. In nature, many things can regrow appendages. If a salamander loses a tail, it grows one back. Crabs can regrow limbs. I imagine that somewhere, the dogwood bush has regrown branches and replaced what was in my planter.

I have never heard of the chopped off tail regrowing a salamander, however. In this case, it seemed that the dogwood branches were rooting and growing. Now what should I do? I have such a love of nature that I couldn't pull these branches and toss them in the yard waste bin. This weekend, I used a trowel and carefully have transplanted them into a bucket. Maybe I will have a new bush by fall?

I also gave a bundle wrapped in a wet towel to my Dad, who is going to try to transplant them at his house. He said that as a boy, on the farm near the creek, they could grow new willow trees this way.

I have done water transplanting from a piece of ivy and African violets. I just didn't expect it on a bigger scale. One of my favorite shows as a kid was Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. The new show, "Life" on the Discovery Channel has captivated my Sunday evenings. Here's a link to some amazing clips of it, if you haven't seen it. The music they have chosen to accompany these outstanding natural scenes is so good too. It never detracts from the visual effect, yet heightens the imagery at every turn. Listen to the music from this clip. Instrumentation native to cheetah country, appealing melodically, I'm entranced by the care of this whole series. I wonder how you come to write music for a series like this. Wow, the brainstorming and recording studio for a grand project like this would be a behind-the-scenes place I would love to be someday.

http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/life-the-series-videos/

Willow Creek Questions

2010-04-15T06:45:00.000-05:00

The young lady at the golf course will probably groan before she answers the next time . I had so many questions for her yesterday. They were based on conversations between my parents and my brother. She says she is looking forward to our event, she remembers her parents' 50th fondly. I say she's already earned my confidence. Sandy was patient and understanding. Here's what I sent to everyone in true secretary format after the call. I'm such a geek, but my hope in doing this was that we would all know the same things this way.

Willow Creek Questions

1. Cash bar question about beer. We'd like to supply the barley pop.
We have two options. We can order a 16 gal. keg. There are 170-12 oz glasses in a keg. (I did not know that!)
OR open the taps-they have 6 total, 3 domestic and 3 imports. I prefer the options that 6 tap "flavors" give me, and don't think I want to choose someone's beer flavor with only one keg kind. This way we don't have to decide regular or light beer?

2. Punch vs. soda.
Some like the look of a punch bowl. There is also an option of the bar serving soda. It would be free to our guests, then it's unlimited flavors too. Her experience is that once people find out there's free soda, they don't drink the punch. I'll ask Mom whether she really likes the look of a punch bowl.

3. Cake plating charge?
No, there is no charge. We are happy to provide this service to you. You are also welcome to bring mints and nuts if you wish, (which I didn't know they'd allow). Do we want to consider these on the tables or at the buffet? Will we need them with the other food?

4. Our Color Scheme = gold/ivory, what type of table centerpieces have you got that we could rent or use?
We have fuel cell gold lanterns and mirrors that we would be happy to provide you free of charge. They look lovely and then you wouldn't have to haul them from home.

5. Can we come out and taste the wrap and other appetizers?
Yes, you can come and taste any of our appetizers that you have questions about. When would you like to come? The wrap's delicious and a little addicting if you want to take her word for it. It is ham, cheese, crumbled bacon, tomato, South West sour cream and wrapped in a tortilla, yum! It is a great taste choice and presents well, she said.

6. We’re bringing musicians including a keyboard. Tell me about the sound system.
We have not got access to hooking you into it. There are speakers in the ceiling. We'd set up near the dance floor. Advise them to bring their own equipment, the disc jockeys for weddings bring their own too. This scenario makes sense to me.

7. Do you have a microphone? Yes, Wireless.

8. 250 people is our estimate. How many tables to set up? (this is really a centerpiece question).
14-15? But we can do whatever you'd like. We usually do 6 rounds in “front” and more tables away from the music a little in the main big hall, access to the deck and the patio, plus the cash bar. We're hoping for a lovely day.

9. What time will we need to be there and when do we need to be out of there?
YOU are our event on May 15th. You have the whole day-no weddings or other events will be booked in the evening. Perhaps you wish to come at noon and do some pictures and/or set-up early, or 12:30, but if it's running longer or people are lingering, the space is yours. We will plan on using our champagne color linens, and they will look great with your gold/ivory combo. It will be very elegant.

See, doesn't all that information make you feel better? It didn't? Oh.

Let the Grieving Begin

2010-04-14T08:40:00.000-05:00

The mother of my senior young lady student came to visit me yesterday. I was surprised to see her in the studio; she rarely stops in. We exchanged hugs and small talk and then she looked at me with the most curious face. She said, "E. said something last night that I thought I should tell you in person. I could have sent it in an email after she went to bed, but I thought it was something I could only convey to you directly." I held my breath.
Last fall E. began the search for the best college experience. I asked questions, did a lot of listening. She had 16 schools she liked, applied to 7, both public and private, and was accepted at 6. (Sorry, Yale, E. said the interview went great-I think you made a mistake.) She is a delightful student, and brilliant academic who could apply to great schools. She came to her last lesson brimming with news of her acceptance into both St. Olaf and Notre Dame. St. Olaf had offered her the maximum scholarship in the music department, in addition to a healthy academic award. It would be less than state tuition. It was a grand honor and it's a great college. Notre Dame does not offer any scholarship monies, in any field. Their tuition is high, because, well, they can.
E. has been narrowing down her choices, and was excited by the prospect of both schools. She is torn about a music degree, also considering actuary sciences and math. She took a tour of the N.D. campus last year, and came back positively glowing.
The truth of the matter is that she is a Catholic girl; she takes her faith seriously, and she loves the traditions of her church. She said she felt so at home in the cathedral and on the grounds. At her lesson as the leaves fell off the trees, she was in a deep spiritual place, and she sounded so centered, balanced. It was body, mind, and spirit in communion with each other for a moment in time. I rarely get to see that deeply into anyone, let alone E. She is a private person. The moment was magical as she retold what she had experienced there. It was hard for her to find the words; I've been there.
St. Olaf is a Lutheran campus, but 23% of the student body is Catholic, according to documents they gave E. It is close and affordable and an excellent education. It is small and really strong in all the elements that spike her curiosity and display her talents.
Last night, E. was lying on her parent's bed, discussing options for college. It is also a financial matter of over 30k per year. Out of the blue she told her mom, "Mrs. Wolf is one of the only people that gets me. I'm going to really miss her." There was a long pause. Then E.'s mom continued, "She has never said this before. Never, not about me or her friends, or anyone. Chris. I don't know if she'll ever tell you to your face, so I knew I needed to. Thank you, thank you." And she welled up with tears. Of course, so did I.
If only my students knew how much I care about them. Some of them might have a glimmmer; I've never hidden my emotions very well. I started grieving my seniors already in February, when they were playing so well for the competition. I don't grieve them all-I'd be lying if I said I did. But these two are unique, not just in their ability, but in their spirits. How wonderful it is to be able to walk with a child down the long road, into amazing and challenging musical places, over the course of 10 years or more. I've had these two since they were 7 or 8. We've shared middle school, for crying out loud!
I get glimpses into their very being that maybe not even their closest friends or family see. The trials and joys of music study strip away to the most bare and revealing inner elements of a person.
We've shared some incredible moments, particularly musical, and especially poignant. They have worked so hard and come so far. To say I'll miss them is trite, almost flippant. I've had others that left marks on my heart, but here I go again.
I cried and E.'s Mom cried and we thanked each other without words for the shared gift. The spring events whirl by, swirl by. How in the world will I find words at the spring recital to say farewell? Oh, oh, oh, this is gonna hurt.

A Typical Saturday Night in April

2010-04-11T15:42:00.000-05:00

The mailman delivered good news in the last two days-child #1 was accepted in the National Honor Society, (NHS), and child #2 was awarded a Presidential Academic Excellence award. Top that off with one of my duets being chosen for the 3 year Federation Festival Bulletin and it became apparent that we needed a steak dinner celebration!

One of our family treats is steak on the grill with sauteed mushrooms, and I made a special trip to the store last night to get just that. The weather in Minnesota has been an amazing, unseasonably warm 65 degrees Fahrenheit (19 C), sunny and gorgeous, so off went the cover of the grill, out came the deck furniture, and pop went the cork on a delightful red.

Everyone in the neighborhood seemed to have similar summer thoughts; the smell of charcoal briquettes and garlic wafted through the cul de sac. Children played in the park, training wheels came off a big boy bike. Men with rakes leaned on them, talking to each other, catching up on news big and small. One found a job, one lost a job, one was dealing with a new Parkinson's diagnosis, another's Dad died last week. What did you decide about a sprinkler system? When are you going fishing again? The rhythm of voices down the road made the sun seem brighter.

The menu filled out with cantelope and fresh strawberries, green beans and a decadent chocolate cake. I adore intimate family time like this, the "nothing special which makes it so special" time. I gaze around the table and know that this moment is precious, real, and fleeting. We talk comfortably about trivial things, pass the fruit, and jointly load the dishwasher. The kids went on a bike ride and Wolfy and I took a walk.

It was the dusky time of day when ducks settle on the pond, squirrel nests become quieter, and many fire pits get poked into emitting a primitive glow. This is "Thy Kingdom Come" right now, right here, like a golden brown marshmallow on a stick. Savor it immediately, in all its messy, gooey glory, before it cools or falls to the ground.

Planning a 50th Anniversary Open House

2010-04-10T10:08:00.003-05:00

Well, it's been a big week up at the music house. (That sounds like Red Green, doesn't it?) I am in the process of planning my parent's 50th anniversary open house. I was given permission only 2 weeks ago to have anything at all. So, with only 2 months to plan, it's got potential to be a daunting extra task OR a delightful diversion with great results. I'm hoping for more of the latter.

So far, I can't believe my luck. I landed the beautiful golf course Willow Creek on the edge of Rochester. They have a wall of windows overlooking the greens. So, even if it's raining, it will be pretty to look out. And if it's nice, they have a deck and a patio for us! They were actually open on a spring Saturday, May 15th, in the afternoon. I was also amazed to get the combo of jazz pianist Dan Rengsdorf and Barney Fox for the afternoon. They play monthly at Michael's Restaurant in Rochester. (Think Nice nice dining). The musicians are good too.
Mom and Dad were given a task. They need a new picture so I can make invitations with "then and now" poses. Everyone likes those, I think, except maybe the people in them, who notice that they've suddenly aged. My mom said she needed a new picture because she's got more wrinkles to share with the world. Their "photo shoot" (as Mom called it) is Monday.
First, I was going to pick up on their wedding colors, spring green and yellow, it was 1960 after all. But this morning I changed my mind. Everything is 50th Golden gold. So, I'm going to go with gold and ecru. Ecru is a weird word isn't it? I prefer ivory, the word, perhaps because of the keys I play. I'm going to get personalized napkins with their names on them, but there is not much time for too much else.
I'm actually looking forward to wandering around party stores and bed, bath, and other stores to scope out table centerpiece ideas. And we're narrowing down food choices to 2-3 hot and 2-3 cold appetizers, cake, punch, coffee and a cash bar.
That sounds like a party open house, doesn't it? Friends, family, food and music in a pretty place?

Many have mentioned having Powerpoint at the event, with pictures through the years. Some have suggested a memory book. Attendees write a little story that you put in a scrapbook. These might be easier t get done, before the event. Merely putting pieces of paper and baskets on the tables might work. The 2 questions I would ask are "How did you meet Don and Arlene? and Please share a memory of time you spent with them." I have not scanned in any of my parent's pictures. It could be a monumental task in a short time. Maybe I'll get those done? Maybe?

Next projects are the invitations which we will send as postcards and in emails. And I want to order a cake. Mom did not have a traditional topper for her cake 50 years ago, so this decision could go any number of ways. She's thinking a sheet cake, I'm thinking stacked rounds. How about flowers? Maybe one pretty arrangement for the appetizer buffet.

What else should I consider?

Music exists for the purpose of growing an admirable heart.

2010-04-09T16:40:00.000-05:00

(Title Quote by S. Suzuki)
One of my favorite parts of teaching is meeting with other teachers monthly to hear some new ideas and be buoyed by "been there, here's a solution" thinking. I was a little late this morning so some of the meeting drudgery was over. The short business meeting is my least favorite part; there's talk of jobs to do, finances and old business. I wasn't late on purpose but I didn't really mind missing the "we all need to do our share" speech.

There are many charter member veterans of teaching in our group. (Several are quite vocal about their expertise.) We have also new teachers, fresh and alive- a twinkle in their eye, inquisitive and finding their way. I'm sort of in the middle of these two ends, I think. I don't consider myself a new teacher anymore, but I'm not a "seasoned" one either. I wonder when I will think of myself that way? How old will I be when I one day say, "Hey, wow, they're lookin' at me like I should know"?

Amazing events during the year include things for our students like festivals, nursing home events, and special presentations. But one of the hidden gems of our club is the teacher benefits. One of the bright highlights of this club is to hear our own membership give presentations. We're not only piano teachers. I have learned so much about music by hearing vocalists, violinists, and guitarists present ideas and teaching philosophies on aspects of music, from classical to jazz. Every once in awhile, the class is dry, but often the presenter is on fire for their craft, eliciting a vibration deep inside me that is in synchronicity with their passion and their instrument. I almost always leave with a smile, either from new information or simply rubbing elbows with my very cool colleagues.

Today's class was a presentation on the philosophy of Shinichi Suzuki. He wrote a book in 1969 that has become a "bible" of sorts for Suzuki Talent Education, entitled "Nurtured by Love". He believed that if a 2 year old could learn the very difficult Japanese language, they could learn the language of music and be successful. He was not looking for the next prodigy, but rather to give his countrymen and the world more grace and humanness, in every person. The presenter had many quotes that could have stood alone as inspiring, but my favorite was, "What is man's ultimate direction in life? It is to look for love, truth, virtue, and beauty”.

Yum.

After 2 Days of Rain

2010-04-07T11:34:00.000-05:00

Beautiful and gentle April showers have already moved my pond's grasses toward green renewal. Mallards were flying in and out of this area today, the wind was playing with the water surface. I prayed while on the bench that I wouldn't let the day slip away in the midst of the busy. Then I prayed for the people who would sit there after me. Many will pass the bench by, do you have just one minute to breathe deeply?

Spring Events-a Logistic Circus

2010-04-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

(Get ready to watch the pond green up with me!)
I am in the throws of preparing students for the last events of the school year. I would like to think I'm organized about all of the due dates, exam dates, the students and their repertoire, but this year I'm not so sure. I am also writing and searching the dates for next year's events calendar for a presentation I'm giving in May. It will be geared toward newer teachers who may want a little help sorting all these same events out. But right now, I don't feel like I have much to offer them. I could use a handy dandy lesson plan too. How should I get it all organized? How do I get it all done and have the students succeed?

I narrowed down the many theory dates to just 2 this year: January or April. I also said to the students that do the state piano exam that we would use only the new site. I had my students obtain their own duet music over spring break. I'm the chair of Guild Auditions, so I could choose the dates for this.

I currently have 28 students, in many of these events, but not all in all of them. My first teacher had 95 students. Yes, you read that correctly-95. She was the breadwinner for her family while her husband was home and becoming a famous architect. I see her and catch up annually at the conventions and I've asked her how in the world she kept track of everyone. "A spiral notebook", was her answer, with a shrug.

With the advent of Google calendars, Excel spreadsheets and Windows/Macs in general, shouldn't this have gotten easier? Websites offer online registrations versus paper too. But I guess it's because I don't use all the programs for all the kids. Maybe I'll make a Google calendar and set up a wiki for it. I don't think there's one out there yet, so if you know of one, shout out!

So I see this as a 3-fingered issue. One is the teacher moving through the systems of registrations and events. The second is knowing what is good for each student, and moving them in the right direction to get there. The third issue is the teacher organizing, teaching, and disseminating the information so that the student learns the material, is properly prepared and on time.

Where's my support staff, my team lead, or executive assistant? OK, enough complaining, where's my coffee and my pen? I'm getting out my spiral notebook. (PS, I luv luv luv this stage-let's prepare them for playing with the orchestra too, kay?)

Henry Ford and the Rouge Plant

2010-04-05T14:30:00.000-05:00

We had an amazing tour of the Ford plant on the Rouge River last Wednesday. I couldn't take too many pictures because it is a working running plant, currently making F-150s. But what an innovator Mr. Henry Ford was!
I was so impressed with his vertical integration ideas. He built this plant right on the river so he could get the ore right from the great lakes chain, and ultimately turn it into a vehicle in 72 hours. It was fascinating how revolutionary his ideas were!

I had never been to an assembly line plant before. We got to actually see into the body area as we walked overhead as they put an F-150 together. Have you ever seen a vehicle get put together? There is so much that needs to happen. Some steps are computerized now, but there were still a lot of people involved in making your car.

There are now many green efforts in place to reclaim the land that is near this river; it wasn't all grand and beautiful.
Because the pictures were scant and I would be repeating much of this information, please check out the links below!

http://www.thehenryford.org/rouge/historyofrouge.aspx

and

http://www.ford.com/about-ford/heritage/places/rouge/665-rouge

the university tour

2010-04-02T15:15:00.000-05:00

The flowers were starting to bloom under the trees on campus. The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor's music department was alive and humming, singing, ringing, and a playing when we took the tour during our stay. We got an overview of their department from a cozy conference room overlooking the pond that is supposedly in the shape of a grand piano. I could only sort of make it out. They offer performance, pedagogy and education degrees in music, at bachelor, master, and doctoral levels.

The words that struck my daughter however, were the many students who do music in conjunction with engineering or other math related fields. This has been her dilemma, I think. She is strong in both areas, yet I have spoken often of the difficult reality making a real living in the music world. It is not easy, but it is wonderful. I believe she had started to shut the door on a career in music.

My words to all my students have been to choose something else unless you just can't see yourself in any other profession. There are so many opportunities to have an avocation in your instrument: civic orchestras, community musicals, church choirs. There are many ways to continue to use and share your gifts. My daughter has heard this speech countless times, and has a good idea watching my life of a musician's unique challenges.

What Ann Arbor's music tour did was stir up some thoughts of reopening the door to a double major or including music in her life while on campus-Hallelujah!

While we were on the walking tour, Ann Arbor unexpectedly opened my son's eyes too. At the age of 14, he was not looking at the college other than to be dragged along with his sister, or so he thought. But since then, he has spoken highly of the university's green efforts. He remarks about the buses, the Zip car system, and especially how many hydrogen cars he saw in use there.

I was impressed by the conscience efforts to minimize waste, and their advanced computer lab in the music library, hooked up with keyboards and composition tools.

I guess we just never know what experiences stick with kids, do we?

The Wolverine that Bit Us

2010-03-31T07:00:00.000-05:00

(the seats in the train are very comfortable-this is our conductor and steward getting ready to announce plans)
We were really trying to make our connection in Chicago, really we were! In the original plan, we were going to have a 2 hour layover, eat a wonderful dinner in the city, and enjoy the sites downtown. Then, engine trouble in Seattle, floods in Fargo, and freight train delays made the train severely behind schedule. The train was making up time, it looked like we might have to run for it. We were due to arrive at 6:00 and our train left at 6:15, but they might hold it for us, and then....no.
The Empire Builder is an Amtrak train for long distances. There are also commuter trains that use the rails in the bigger cities. In Milwaukee last Monday, Mar. 26, a commuter train hit a man, and he was killed. I don't know how often this happens. It was very sad to me.

All trains were stopped, the commuter train that was going to Chicago was unloaded, and 70 passengers from that train boarded ours. This process took almost an hour while railroad inspectors checked the lines, made out reports, and people found their seats on our full train, trying hard to keep groups and families together. We didn't arrive in Union Station-Chicago until almost 7 p.m. We were now running on breakfast from 10:30 a.m. and snacks. The dining car was not available because they thought we were going to have arrived at 4:00.

As we approached the stop, the conductor announced that our mode of transportation from Chicago was going to be a motor coach by road, rather than rail, to Ann Arbor. I immediately asked whether this "bus" would have restroom facilities because my father would need that option and we were assured that it would.

But it didn't. We were hustled from the bowels of the station to the street, where 15 of us, plus an infant boarded a 24 passenger bus. We were not given a chance to use a restroom in the station until I demanded to get off the bus and take my dad back down the escalator, claiming I had to go too. There was no food, but we were given bottles of water, and eventually they brought cracker packages with a shortbread cookie. We were on our way. I made sure the bus driver knew that we would need to stop for bathroom breaks. He proceeded to drive to Jackson, Michiga, over 220 miles, without so much as a yield. We wondered later why they gave us water bottles.

Strangers thrust together in small places do one of two things, I seem to think. They either try to make their own little bubble and do their best to feel safe and private even though it's not really true. Or, they decide to talk to those around them and commiserate. I'm the latter, while most of my family is is the former. I met a very nice lady who was coming back from a three month travel. She had an artificial foot, which was "acting up, the barometer must be changing." I heard about her mentally ill husband who had an "episode" and was now in the state's care, and her sister who stayed in London because she had met a man. She had taken a ship from New York city to London, and highly recommended it. I thinks she said it was the Queen Mary 2!
http://www.cunard.com/Transatlantic/TAcrossing.html

I also met Zachary and his mother. He was a sweet 6 month old chubster of a baby who was going to meet his grandparents for the first time. The mom had gotten on the train in Minot, North Dakota over 24 hours ago, without help, without a plan, without enough diapers, no sleep, and was coming back to Michigan, while the father got ready to go to Afghanistan with the military unit from North Dakota. This baby smiled non stop. I got to feed him a bottle, and held him while his very tired mommy took a much deserved nap. He never cried during this long journey, Zac was sturdy though and my arm was throbbing by the time we pulled in to the Amtrak station 3 hours later.

This town was someone's stop, and when he got off, so did I. By now it was dark, and the station was closed. I asked the driver to please find the next gas station or anything, McDonalds, or even a tree. My father was quite uncomfortable, and I have to believe that many other passengers were too, but no one else spoke up. We went another 30 miles down the highway, passing locked rest stops, truck stops and gas stations every 10 minutes or so. Was all of Michigan this desolate? Where were the accommodations that I needed?

Finally, I demanded that the bus pull over in the next town no matter what, and he found a Moto Mart that had a unisex one-stall bathroom. The entire busload got off, stretched their aching legs and one by one, we all used the bathroom. It was terribly dirty, and there was no baby changing stand. I held Zac while his mother went, and then we used the rubber mat over by the soda fountain to change his pants while more people silently waited their turn in the stall. It turns out that this town is less than 15 minutes from Ann Arbor's train station. If I had not been as vocal as I was, we wouldn't have stopped at all. Guess what? The Ann Arbor station was closed too. It was 1:30 in the morning after all.

My brother should have received a text from my daughter stating that we were 10 minutes away, but her cell phone didn't send it in a timely fashion. We called him after the bus left, wondering whether he was on the way, and he showed up as fast as he could. It was cold and rainy, and my mom and dad were exhausted. Our beds never felt so warm and cozy. We had arrived, even after all the missed connections!

Train Food and Music

2010-03-29T11:33:00.012-05:00

The train has two food options, a dining car that was open limited hours near meal times, (11-2, and 4-7) and a snack car that had more hours but less delightful choices. When we went to Washington DC, the food at dinner was outstanding. This time it was really only mediocre, and I thought the prices had gone up, but the service was only adequate. We're not sure if we'll eat in the dining car again, unless we have to.

We brought along a cooler for our journey, planning to eat lunch on the train. Because of the delay and the late breakfast, we merely snacked our way to Chicago instead. Our cooler had snack size pineapple cups, cheese and crackers, jelly beans, a can of mixed nuts, granola bars, and a variety of soda, water, and juice. It was a nice mix, some salty, some sweet, some crunch some chewy items. It was a time and money saver. Again, the train is friendly and allows you to bring on any of these items with no comment.

With the exception of the rhythm of the rails, the train is very quiet; many of the travelers worked on laptops, and used iPods or other mp3 players. There was only a mildly fussy 2 year old, that soon fell asleep to the gentle beat of the wheels on steel. Teens, parents and I all napped too. Musically, my kids sometimes share one ear bud of their mp3 each. I think this looks so funny with the cord draped between them. They each have distinctive playlists, so they went through one and then the other's. I read a whole book without getting motion sickness, a first for me. Traveling by car I cannot read.

Our train from Minnesota to Chicago is called the Empire Builder. The connection we had hoped to catch was the Wolverine. Being 3 hours late, we didn't make it. But I did meet some lovely people, whom I will introduce tomorrow!

(The water was high everywhere we passed. When we were waiting to board the train, I noticed the top of the vending machine. Healthy! hmmmmm, and the music below is fun, but the guy plays none of these instruments, and doesn't appear to have a clue where to start-sorry about that. But I loved the footage of the trains coming into Chicago!)

An Amtrak Journey

2010-03-29T09:53:00.003-05:00

We took an Amtrak to Ann Arbor, Michigan last week. I will fill you in about details this week. When we arrived at the station, the news was not good. There had been engine trouble in Seattle the day before, and floods in Fargo had put the train 3 hours behind. So, we went to breakfast, visited historic Sugar Loaf Mountain, went to an antique shop that was in former beer brewing caves, and came back to the station. They had made up 20 minutes giving up the smoke stop in Red Wing and the Cities. So we hopped on.
One of the beautiful things about the train is that it's still simple. There are no security features like taking off your shoes, no seatbelts and such a laid back "we'll get there, eventually" atmosphere. It takes you right out of the hurry-scurry mode you may have been in.

The Mississippi River was high and just overflowing some of its borders as we rode over it. And this is the song that came to my mind. The Highway Men were country stars in their own right, who all got together in the 90s to tour and sing together. I wish I would have gone to a concert-it must have been amazing. They included Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash.

Let me just say, "All Aboard!" right now and welcome you to the beginning of the journey with a view of the Winona Station, and a favorite traveling train song.

The Right Thing

2010-03-22T05:00:00.000-05:00

Today we hope the Health Care Bill becomes reality. In speaking to Wolfy about it, I said, "I hope we as a country do the Right Thing." What is that really? What is the Right Thing? For me the right thing is to get everyone covered. I'm ultimately a socialist. I believe that you can't really be spiritual and also believe that everyone can fend for themselves. It mystifies me, really. Why do I care about my neighbor? Somewhere deep inside I feel they are my brother. How many people would be against this if they were in need of these services? The gap of have/have nots is growing. Yet, I'm confronted again today by a person who just wants "what is his".

Here are 2 ways to look at money. One is that the money is mine-I earned it. If I am asked to give you some, I think, "What? This is my money, how much do I have to give you? I have $100 dollars and you want $10? That only leaves me with $90!"

Or: My father gave me $100. He asked me to please give my brother $10 and to keep the rest. I feel compelled to say, "he's my brother, are you sure that's all he needs?" I still have $90. $90-that was a big gift! Big difference.

Last done in 2000, the World Health organization ranking of the health systems of the world, the Unites States ranked 37th, below Costa Rica and Dominica. Our system is broken. A world superpower, we are not really caring for our people. If you want to grow old and be healthy, move to Iceland. We were 24th in Healthy Life Expectancy.

Yet, there are those who will try hard to attach their own stipulations, greed and agendas to this bill because they sense the wave of pressure riding with it. Their Right Thing is different than my Right Thing.

My studio families are deciding what is the Right Thing for their spring schedules. What would be the easy decision for many has become a very thought provoking choice for them regarding the honors concert.

Tomorrow I am taking my parents to visit my brother and his wife in Ann Arbor. Rather than take a more southerly route, I decided that the Right Thing was to help my folks to get out of town. It's a 12 hour ride. It's not a warm and sunny destination. We are going to take the train-chugga chugga woot woot! This way we can travel, with no pressure of driving through Chicago, Gary, Indiana, or potty breaks. There is food, movies, and some card playing in my future. We plan to see the campus of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor while we're there. Is it right to take Mom and Dad away from their doctor and travel so far? I believe they need this desperately. They haven't left their home since August, and used to be so footloose and fancy free. I think I'm doing the Right Thing. Some might disagree.

I applied once upon a time to the Ann Arbor piano graduate program. I wasn't accepted there probably because I performed terribly and was an hour late. Young kid that I was, I forgot that they are an hour ahead of my time zone! So I drove and drove but never changed my clock. Huh, oops! That bad news turned out to be the Right Thing for my career; I loved my time in Connecticut and The Hartt School of Music was a good choice for me.

How can we know what is the Right Thing, for ourselves, for the future, for health care? All I know is that what we have right now is the Wrong thing and it's time for a change for the better. Those who can not speak for themselves are hoping we do the Right Thing.

Is the Honors Concert a Prize?

2010-03-19T11:23:00.007-05:00

The winners have been chosen for the annual state piano solo contest. The big blessing at my studio this year was that I had no alternates. Being an Alternate is the highly feared no man's land of not quite winning. An alternate waits for the winners to claim the prize of a Northrop on stage appearance. If a winner can't make the rehearsals and/or concert, the alternates are chosen, one at a time, from a list. (Students do not know what number they are on the secret list, it takes someone in the know to find out the likelihood of a call.) This ranking is done on the final contest day by the judge in their room. If you are deemed an alternate, you get a critique stamped in red indicating that you may have won. I always equate it to seeing Ed McMahon's face in my mailbox. This has been the bane of my teaching the last two years as we wait over a month to see if anyone cancels or misses the first rehearsal. Then my student might be called. My studio won outright this year! No dead zone, no maybes, they got outstanding critiques, only one didn't win!
I sent out congratulatory emails immediately and gave out the details of the honor they've been awarded. It is an opportunity to play before 4000 people in a duet, in an amazing historically significant space, with a conductor, with the other state winners on June 12. 20 grand pianos grace the stage. It is a magnum event with gala gowns and proud parents. With this duet comes rehearsals at a central location north of my studio about 45 minutes one way, in a music store warehouse. Many from around the state book hotel rooms and make weekends out of these rehearsals. This was a huge award for me as a child. We got to the big city several times, made a day of it, ate out, got a pretty long dress and shoes, went to a mall! I was so excited to win and perform in this event. I loved the idea of playing with all the other really good pianists.
Times have changed. I am starting to hear my parents' email replies to my wonderful news. "Well, we're not sure we're going to do the Honors Concert thing; we have several conflicts on Saturdays in the spring." "It's great that we won, but we did the concert last year, so we're going to take a year off." "This is expensive to buy music, drive all the way up to the music store 3 times, and twice to the U of M, buy clothes and then they charge for tickets?" "I will have to get back to you about the Northrop concert, how many rehearsals can they miss?"
Yikes! What is going on here? Who would work so hard, pay entry fees twice (to the one who thought it was expensive), win, and not take the prize? Is it indeed a prize?
Here's what I'm hearing.
1. It's time intensive. Yup, sure is. The duet needs rehearsals, with the conductor, all together, many times. This involves 4 Saturdays in the spring/early summer. We are lucky to live in the metro area. It does not involve sleeping over, or 4 hour car rides. The concert is lengthy and we can't play games on our iPhones.
2. It's about the music. We have to learn a new piece, quickly, and it's not a solo. Across the state, 600+ win, from ages 7-20. This would be the longest solo concert ever. We got to choose our solo piece, but sometimes the duets are poorly written or not in the styles students wanted.
3. It's about the money. Lessons are not cheap. Renting the warehouse and the auditorium and pianos are not cheap either, but I also think MMTA makes money on this event, which in turn is spent developing more programs to help students succeed. I consider it a "paying it forward" mentality.
4. It's under the radar of the world. There's no trophy or media hype; at least when they win other things they are mentioned in the paper. Wow. You would like a trophy for a piano event? You're right, there is little in potential scholarship money, college tuition or Nike commercials going to come from your performance.
5. It's just too much effort. Now, that one I believe. I see my families zooming to every soccer field in the county more Saturday mornings than they're home. They have no qualms about paying big dollars for grass and referees and shin guards. An away tournament once per month? No problem. So, what's the difference? I've given this some thought.

I think it comes down to the culture right now of "sports reigns supreme". The world understands and acknowledges a baseball tournament. It is not well educated on the work of a musician behind closed doors for months to prepare for 3 minutes or artistry. At this musical event, there is no blood, no shouting from the sidelines, no whistles. At the final concert, you're expected to dress up, sit quietly, with no food or beverages. Rather than beat a team for the championship, the music students work cooperatively together for a sonorous outcome. It's peaceful and loving, and potentially boring as hell for those used to bad mouthing the opponent.

There are lots of analogies I could make. But my question today is this.
Why would you try out for the varsity team, and when you make the team, you turn it down? Why did you try out?

72 birthdays

2010-03-16T23:01:00.004-05:00

My family went to Rochester for the afternoon Sunday. It was a lovely day for a drive-warm, sunny, and spring was in the air. I had made my Dad's favorite German chocolate cake, and held it on my lap for the 70 mile car ride. My mom used to bring lemon meringue pies to her father-in-law the same way, and also about 70 miles. Jiggle, jiggle, and you wonder whether it will make it there. She had the added concern that the meringue might fall! I just hoped the cake wouldn't slide on its glass foot!

Dad looked good but said he felt weak. We had good conversation, which turned into a few games of Scattergories and Apples to Apples. Dad opened his presents. We had wrapped a few simple things just to remember the day. One of them was a tiny 2gb memory card for the picture frame we gave them at Christmas. We had opened the package and loaded 45 recent (within the year) pictures of the family. We wrapped the little memory card seven times, each in a bigger box. It was silly but the kids and Grandpa seemed to enjoy it.

When it was his 70th birthday, we wrapped 70 of 10 different items, like 70 kernels of corn, 70 nails, 70 peanuts, etc.

The hardest part of the day for me was that Mom and Dad seem so sad. It's like life has stopped them cold. I can't help them with this attitude adjustment that's needed either. I wish I could remind them that Dad isn't dead yet, that they are so lucky, that Dad is still Dad, even if he doesn't DO the things he used to do, he still IS the man, my Dad. He said he doesn't think like he used to. He says it's so hard because he can't see right and doesn't get the information all straight inside, but he knows it's not right. I can only imagine how frustrating that is. I have no idea what it's like to have had cancer. I just know that it seems like they're waiting for him to die now. And it makes me grumpy, and then forlorn, and then pissed off, and then resigned. Everyone will handle adversity differently. My Mom and Dad were of the "Buck up, it could be worse" variety until this happened to them.

Where did their faith go? Their friends still stop over; they still get to their community events. They have stopped a lot of the more physical volunteer work they were doing. But I hear them focusing so much on what they've lost. What might their faith leader tell them? Could friends or family say the right thing? Are they just showing a brave front when I'm there and it's really bad when I'm not? I don't know. But I do know that to look at this man blowing out his candles, you might guess there was very little amiss. Look at the grin-there's still sense and smirk there.

Yes, their lives have changed-a lot. I wish I could bring it back, but the new reality is what is present is a gift. A tremendous gift in my opinion. Every day is a treasure for them to still be together.

I left wanting to yell at them and kick them in the ass. What a pretty picture, huh? I'm so mature.

Let Everything that Hath Breath

2010-03-15T13:36:00.003-05:00

We had a great time hearing and playing the song yesterday. this is not the Rosemount choir, nor is it me on piano. I would say we went faster in tempo, and as big in spirit. Enjoy your Monday!

Playing Well is Winning the Contest

2010-03-13T22:10:00.005-06:00

The state contest finals are Saturday and Sunday, as students perform and judges write. Volunteers aplenty help at registration tables, feeding people, gathering critiques, monitoring doors, and inputting scores.

Also today, the Apple Valley Music Teachers Association held their annual Federation Festival. As the state finals over 2 days hosts 6000 students, AVMTA hosts 600 local students in one day. The finals are piano only, the festival is a wide variety of flute, strings, voice, theory, duet, ensemble, concerti, and solo piano. And I probably left something out-it's an amazing day.

I was behind the scenes for both events this year. For the state contest, I invited the judges, 19 on Saturday, 16 for Sunday. We had two that canceled in January and one that was ill and called on Friday. I hope we don't have illness tomorrow, as my substitute list is empty and I'll be at church. Several of my students competed today, and one little one will perform tomorrow. Nerves were already running a little high at their lessons this week-everyone wants to have a good experience, and win. I remind them that playing well is winning. I don't know whether they heard me or understood.

I set up the piano tuners for the Apple Valley event. We used ten pianos, tuned by three people, which took all day Friday. The church had four pianos which were tuned by their staff tuner. We had six pianos delivered for the event, which were tuned by two other local Piano Technicians Guild members.

It's a big day at church tomorrow as the Rosemount High School Chamber Choir is coming to sing. I'm looking forward to hearing them, and accompanying one of their pieces, a big gospel number. Maybe someone will record it and put it on YouTube? There are always some parents that have their video cameras at the ready.

After lunch, we are going to Rochester for my father's birthday party. I'll try to take pictures!

The pictures today are of the concession table and registration table at our local event. Cookies are still 3/$1.00, homemade, best deal in town! Proceeds go to student awards. It's not a huge money maker, but every chocolate chip helps!

Thomas Arne Birthday Wishes

2010-03-12T09:34:00.003-06:00

Will the world stop spinning long enough for me to post regularly again? I have no idea, but here's a quick one!
Tomorrow several students from around the state of Minnesota are competing at the state finals in piano solo. In the 15-16 year old category, many of them will be performing a "Gigue", (pronounced jig), by Thomas Arne, who would have turned 300 today. His most famous piece is "Rule Britannia". Here's a little more about him, the famous piece, and the gigue our students will be performing. Happy happy, Thomas!

Arne's father and grandfather were both upholsterers and both became officials of the City Company of Upholsterers. His grandfather fell upon hard times and died in the Marshalsea prison for debtors. Arne's father earned enough money not only to rent a large house in Covent Garden but also to have Arne educated at Eton College. But later in life, he also managed to lose most of his wealth and had to earn extra cash by acting as a numberer of the boxes at Drury Lane Theatre.

Arne was so keen on music that he smuggled a spinet into his room and, dampening the sounds with his handkerchief, would secretly practice during the night while the rest of the family slept.

"Rule, Brittania", is a British patriotic song, also used by the British Army. It's famous lyric chorus is:

"Rule, Britannia! rule the waves:
"Britons never will be slaves."

First heard in London in 1745, it achieved instant popularity. It quickly became so well known that Handel quoted it in his Occasional Oratorio in the following year, when it was sung with the words "War shall cease, welcome peace!"

Here's a clip of an amazing performance at Hyde Park, London.

And, finally, a clip from You Tube with the Gigue. This was the better one I found, but I'm certain that many of the students tomorrow will play this with so much more energy and life. hear that, kids! You Tube awaits; publish yourselves-you amaze me!

Welcome, let's March on

2010-03-01T14:49:00.004-06:00

February is a blur to me, dear blogger friends. I took pictures and wrote things, but not here. I will try to fill you in on the who, what and wow of the last month as the early days of March shine in my southern windows.
It is going to be a great month, if the first day is any indicator. It will be a month of competitions, exams, and spring breaks, music and thoughts. Are you ready for Spring? Yes, yes, yes, I am.

First in the queue is a most excellent soup made on a not so sunny February weekend. sirloin, barley, vegetables and fresh graham bread, and a good book-the makings of a weekend on the couch. The recipe is from a local restaurant, and the owner said I could reprint it! Thank you, Cherokee Sirloin Room, in Eagan, Minnesota, for keeping my inside warm when my outside was frosty.

Cherokee Sirloin Soup
1 1/2 pound cubed cooked prime rib or sirloin
1/2 pound ground chuck
1 1/2 c. carrots
1 1/2 c. diced potatoes
1 c. green beans, fresh
1 c. onions
1 c. celery
1 bay leaf
2 c. cabbage
1 1/2 c. diced tomatoes (I used canned)
1/2 c. barley
1 T. sweet basil
1 T. garlic
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. black pepper
4 ounces burgundy wine, (opt.)
3/4 gallon beef stock
Saute the chuck, onions, carrots, celery on low for 5 minutes. Move to stock pot, and the rest of ingred. Bring to boil, reduce heat, simmer 90 minutes. salt and pepper to taste.

Classical Music Helped or Harmed?

2010-02-05T23:25:00.004-06:00

On Minnesota Public Radio the other day, the announcer said he thought that Looney Tunes had permanently damaged classical music pieces. It was his opinion that one could no longer hear something like "Figaro, figaro, figaro" without seeing the cartoon in their head. Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny and company are the bad guys that tainted amazing works of art, simplifying and "dumbing them down". This is certainly one way to think about it. And I DO see the cartoons in my head. I confess. I do, I see them.

I also know that my children, my husband and my friends love the old cartoons and their music. They and I laugh and sing along, learning beautiful melodies I might have never heard without those pajama-d Saturday mornings. It's not just cartoons. Who can hear the William Tell Overture and not think of the Lone Ranger? I guess what I'm hoping for is less high-brow and more education. I think the announcer probably has the attitude of pianist Tom at the beginning of this video.

I wonder aloud sometimes about the fate of our classical music, in the hands of its worshippers.

(Tom plays Hungarian Rhapsody no.2 by Franz Liszt, Jerry plays "On the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe" made famous by Judy Garland)

Monday Funny

2010-02-01T06:45:00.000-06:00

For some reason I got a kick out of the garbage in the parking lot, on the way into the mall. In close proximity to each other were both this note and this can. Why would you bring your "don't wake the baby" sign to the mall? I made a sign similar to this once upon a time, but it never left the back of the front door, so I could use it gain and again. Who would drop this note on the ground at the shopping mall? Who would toss out a 24 oz. Budweiser can? Did the baby get beer? No wonder why they're sleeping. Let's hope not they didn't come from the same vehicle!

Sunday and All is Well

2010-01-31T15:00:00.009-06:00

What a week! When I last wrote, I was in the middle of a terrific birthday. It turned into a terrific birth week! The evening of my birthday, we went to dinner with friends who are marvelous conversationalists. One friend brought me fun gifts every day for five days! She would sneak over and drop them off while I was teaching.

I received an atomic clock for my birthday from my children. It also has the phases of the moon and outdoor/indoor temperature. The other gift I received was unexpected time with my family-a true blessing.

On Saturday I didn't get called to judge. I was on a list of call-me-if a judge doesn't show up or is ill. When no one called by 10 a.m., we decided I had the day free, so we finished up the laundry, ate out at Bruegger's Bagels, went to the local Mall, shopped a little, played mini-golf, and then went to the matinee of The Blind Side, with popcorn-yum. We don't always get corn, it is so expensive. I probably enjoyed the movie more than the rest; I have always been invigorated by women who follow their heart to do the right thing, especially when it's the hard thing. I highly recommend it, and Sandra, well done, girlfriend, well done.

It was a great family outing, made better by the fact that the kids actually seemed to like being out with us. We didn't even know that the mall had turned the lower level into a game area, with black light mini-golf.

I hope my students played well and had a good state competition experience. More on the results and stories here soon. Here's a picture of the flowers from the hubby-so happy, huh? So am I.

Happy Birthday, Herr Mozart!

2010-01-27T14:36:00.005-06:00

Ever wonder what Wolfgang did on his birthday?
This is my birthday too, and I just want to say how glorious it has been so far. I slept in, renewed my driver's license where there was no line, and she said I didn't look my age and wished me a happy birthday. The sun is shining brilliantly in my studio and living room. I had cake for breakfast with delicious gourmet coffee, got tons of greetings on Facebook, taught both my senior students today and an amazing young lady that had gotten a perfect score on the state Theory exam, level 3, more phone calls.

Wolfy and I grabbed a bite of lunch at Arby's and when she heard it was my birthday, the manager bought my lunch. There were greeting cards in the post, and a package on my doorstep when I returned, plus two lovely email greetings in my inbox. One of the emails announced that my duet, "I Wanna Be a Spy" was chosen to be included in the 2011-2013 national Federation Bulletin in the Duet category. I can't wait to tell FJH.

Now Wolfy just brought home fresh flowers in the happiest colors, vibrant purple, oranges, and yellows. And this is all before 3 p.m.!

I get to teach my youngest students this afternoon, and have music rehearsal tonight. Lots of talent will be sitting in my living room singing and playing with me. Lastly, we're going out to a late supper with friends - I feel so blessed, so amazingly warm.